Trump hasn't ordered any ventilators from GM, despite saying he was using

[elleng]

wartime powers to force production - sources

An earlier version of this story misstated Sen. Ted Cruz’s experience with coronavirus. The Texas Republican self-quarantined after interacting with a person who later tested positive.

WASHINGTON – Nearly a week after invoking his powers under a Korean War-era law to compel General Motors to manufacture ventilators for coronavirus, President Donald Trump’s administration has not formally ordered any of the machines, USA TODAY has learned.

As governors warn of severe shortages of ventilators, Trump has been hesitant to use his wartime powers to force companies to ramp up production under the Defense Production Act, arguing that such an order amounts to a takeover of private industry.

But Trump said Friday he would use the act to require General Motors to make ventilators after what he described as a dispute with the company over supply and pricing. Three administration officials speaking on the condition of anonymity told USA TODAY that the government is still exploring its options and has not yet placed an order under the Defense Production Act for any of the machines.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency "continues to work within its authorities to coordinate with the private sector," an agency spokesperson who declined to be identified said when asked about the lack of an order to GM. Federal agencies are "in the process of reviewing these delegated authorities," the person said.

General Motors declined to answer questions about Trump's use of the DPA but said in a statement it was "moving forward to build as many ventilators as we can as fast as we can."

The White House declined to comment.'>>>

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/02/coronavirus-trump-said-force-gm-build-ventilators-he-hasnt/5100856002/?

[SheltieLover]

1. WTF?

🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[getagrip_already]

2. wtf did you expect?

They don't want to help anyone. They just want to save the "economy", which to them equates to staying rich, whatever the measure of that becomes.

[mitch96]

3. States should order from GM direct.. Or a number of states make a bulk order

LIke all the states in New England order from GM.... YMMV
m

[gibraltar72]

4. You mean he lied??

[MustLoveBeagles]

10. It's unbelievable ain't it?

[underpants]

5. First thing that popped in my head - someone really wealthy go ahead and place the order

to GM

GE needs a contract or a purchase order. That's just how things work. They can't go forward without one.
The key is to start production. If someone buys them and later transfers them then fine but get the production started.

[elleng]

7. 'Federal Emergency Management Agency "continues to work within its authorities

to coordinate with the private sector," an agency spokesperson who declined to be identified said when asked about the lack of an order to GM.'

[underpants]

8. Well FEMA waited in a call from HHS because it was their baby

DoD also wasn't contacted. No one is talking to each other.

Oh but $45,000 for half carts that went right through.

[Igel]

6. Check out this.

Assignment:
Read the guiding questions after this link. Then read the article at the following link. Answer the guiding questions after you've finished reading. Be sure to use quotes to justify your answers. When finished, upload the assignment to the webpage discussion thread for review.

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/02/825800514/planet-money-the-parable-of-the-piston

Guiding questions for this reading:
1. Who is the manufacturer, and how many are on order?
2. Who is essential in sourcing the parts?
3. Is there any connection between this and the content of the USA Today article--and, if there is, do they agree with their basic insights or conflict?
4. Which do you find to be more reliable? Consider the detail provided and the editorial stance of the writer.

[stillcool]

9. burned a few brain cells...

and just glanced at the damn thing.