President Donald Trump on March 23 signed an executive order to prevent the price gouging and hoarding of “critical supplies” needed to combat the CCP virus outbreak.
“We have some people hoarding. We want to prevent price gouging and critical resources are going to be protected in every form,” Trump said at a press conference on Monday.
The White House said that the president is authorized under the Defense Production Act to prohibit the hoarding of needed resources.
“This sends a strong message,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham wrote on Twitter. “We will not let those hoarding vital supplies & price gougers to harm the health of America in this hour of need.”
Attorney General William Barr emphasized that individuals who stockpile essential supplies will not be the target of the presidential action, but those who hoard items to sell with hiked up prices are, and may be subject to investigation.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has now been granted the authority to determine which items are prohibited for sale in “unnecessary quantities” above the fair market value in light of the new hoarding rules.
The HHS will work with the Department of Justice to enforce the measure where hoarding may be impeding the supply of health and medical resources that are needed to combat the spread of the virus, the White House said. The items have not yet been designated.
The measure aims to ensure that hospitals, first-responders, and doctors have sufficient supplies of critical medical equipment, including personal protective equipment and sanitizing and disinfecting products.
“By limiting access to these critical resources, those who engage in hoarding and price gouging could put both our medical workers and the health of the American people at risk,” the White House said. “All Americans must come together to help one another during this time and help combat the outbreak.”