Schumer calls on Trump to appoint a coronavirus supply 'czar' with military backgroundWashington Times, Apr 2, 2020
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer on Thursday formally asked President Trump to appoint a military officer to oversee the federal government’s role in procuring and distributing goods in response to the escalating coronavirus epidemic.
Mr. Schumer said companies’ voluntary efforts to produce ventilators and equipment are welcomed but that America can’t rely on a “patchwork†system.
“It is long past the time for your administration to designate a senior military officer to fix this urgent problem,†Mr. Schumer wrote in a letter to Mr. Trump.
The president recently invoked the Defense Production Act to order General Motors to produce ventilators, but Mr. Schumer said the “full capacity†of American industry hasn’t yet been harnessed.
“That officer should be given full authority under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to complete and rapidly implement a plan for the increased production, procurement and distribution of critically-needed medical devices and equipment,†the senator said.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/2/chuck-schumer-calls-trump-appoint-coronavirus-supp/