Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Gaynor to increase transparency within the Air Bridge Program.  He released the following statement:

"As we work to direct PPE and other vital supplies to the medical frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis, FEMA has been using the Air Bridge Program to speed up the delivery of equipment and supplies from overseas manufacturers. However, in order to use this program and expedite shipments, state officials must agree that 50% of the items on each flight can be diverted by FEMA without advance notice. While there is a clear need to get the necessary supplies to locations that have been severely impacted, it leaves state officials, local mayors, first responders and COVID-19 patients at the mercy of FEMA for life-saving equipment. I asked FEMA Administrator Gaynor to increase transparency within the Air Bridge program so in the future governors and mayors will be notified if FEMA decides to expropriate their orders. That way they can take other measures to protect their health care workers, first responders and hospitalized patients."

You can read the letter here.