By JONATHAN LEMIRE and JILL COLVIN
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Trump now is calling himself a "wartime president" as he tries to come to grips with the dual health and economic crises of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Wednesday he said he's invoking a federal provision that allows the government to marshal the private sector in response to the pandemic.
Trump said he will employ the Defense Production Act "in case we need it" as the government bolsters resources for an expected surge in cases of the virus.
The announcement came on a fast-moving day of developments.
The Senate is taking up a financial aid package while the administration pushes forward its economic relief plan.
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