WASHINGTON DC (April 8, 2020) – Senators Charles "Chuck" Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take vigorous action to protect consumers from price-gouging during the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to Attorney General William Barr, the senators urged DOJ to vigorously enforce Executive Order 13910, which was issued to help prevent such conduct, and to request information about the Department’s current and planned efforts to address this problem.
“Weeks ago, during the initial stages of the pandemic, we began to see troubling reports of price-gouging and hoarding of all kinds of products, including essential medical supplies that health-care workers need to diagnose, treat, and stem the spread of COVID-19. Such practices not only impose unjustifiable costs on those who need these medical and health supplies, they also exacerbate existing supply shortages, threatening public health and safety,” the senators wrote.
“The ultimate effectiveness of the Executive Order in preventing hoarding and price-gouging relating to essential health and medical resources will depend on the enforcement efforts of the Justice Department and effective coordination between the Department, HHS, the Federal Emergence Management Agency (FEMA), and state enforcement authorities.”
Full text of the letter follows or can be found HERE.
