What Exactly Is The Defense Production Act?

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is turning to a 1950 law to boost private production of supplies needed to confront the coronavirus pandemic. Trump says he’ll invoke the Defense Production Act. That law was signed by President Harry S. Truman during the Korean War. It gives the president broad authority to mobilize the resources and production of private companies to meet the needs of the national defense. That could be especially important for the U.S. government as it braces for a surge in coronavirus cases and shortfalls in medical supplies. The law has been invoked multiple times by presidents of both political parties during emergencies, including blackouts, war and hurricanes.