Delegated Defense Production Act Authority for COVID-19 Health Resources
President Trump signed Executive Order 13911 on March 27, 2020, delegating additional authority under the Defense Production Act to federal agencies to allocate health and medical resources in response to COVID-19. The order empowered the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other agency heads to requisition supplies, materials, and services needed for pandemic response. The direct effect was authorization for federal agencies to commandeer or redirect medical equipment and supplies from private manufacturers and distributors to government control for distribution during the pandemic.