{"id":353838,"date":"2020-03-31T06:54:56","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T11:54:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/the-defense-production-act-explained.html"},"modified":"2020-04-29T09:12:46","modified_gmt":"2020-04-29T14:12:46","slug":"the-defense-production-act-explained","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/the-defense-production-act-explained.html","title":{"rendered":"The Defense Production Act Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

What Is the Defense Production Act?<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Maddy Teka, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Bridget Molitor, JD<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n

In 1950, in the midst of the cold war, North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea, a U.S. ally. As a response, President Truman addressed Congress requesting the authority to oversee the economic mobilization of resources as a means to prepare for the inevitable war with North Korea.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The Defense Production Act<\/a>, an act passed during the Korean war, gives the President the power to order private sectors to produce certain goods.
\r\n<\/p>\r\n

History of the Defense Production Act<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

This resulted in Congress passing the Defense Production Act in September 1950. The Act has been amended over 50 times since its enactment and has been used to address other emergencies like terrorist attacks and natural hazards.<\/p>\r\n

Now, when invoked, the Act allows the President to force private companies to prioritize government contracts.<\/p>\r\n

Was It Ever Used After the Korean War?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Yes, a number of times. Although the Defense Production Act was initially enacted as a response to the Korean War, it has since been invoked during peace times as well. Some of the instances where a President used the Defense Production Act include:<\/p>\r\n