Amid Widening Pandemic, Warren Leads Call for Chamber of Commerce to Cease Lobbying Efforts that are Endangering Public Health and the Economic Needs of Millions of Americans

Statement

United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) sent a letter to the Chamber of Commerce demanding answers as to why the organization is lobbying against President Trump's use of the Defense Production Act -- an extraordinarily powerful tool that would allow him to quickly harness and use America's technological and manufacturing might to address this public health crisis and provide needed equipment for hospitals, health care providers, and first responders. Their letter asks the Chamber to cease their lobbying efforts against measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic and place the economic and public health needs of hundreds of millions of American families above its members.

The Chamber's actions come as the pandemic grows exponentially, and as millions of Americans are putting their health at risk to provide medical care, and stock and deliver food, cleaning supplies, and the basics of everyday life to American families under "shelter in place" requirements, including in Massachusetts where Governor Charlie Baker today ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses and issued a stay at home advisory.

President Trump publicly stated that he would not use his powers under the Defense Production Act, incorrectly claiming that companies were voluntarily "making so many products" as an explanation for his refusal to act. However, the New York Times reported today that, "the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the heads of major corporations have lobbied the administration against using the act. ...Mr. Trump and the director of his national economic council, Larry Kudlow, as well as Mr. Kushner, were persuaded by those arguments."

"This report, if true, is shameful, revealing that the Chamber is actively working against efforts to address the urgent national COVID-19 pandemic, and is placing the short-term desires of its members above the economic and public health needs of hundreds of millions of American families," the lawmakers wrote. "You owe the public an explanation for this behavior. We urge you to cease your lobbying efforts against measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic."