The Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 is a survivor of the broad World War II–era powers that once belonged to the executive branch. Based on the War Powers Acts of 1941 and 1942, the DPA “confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in the interest of national defense.” Since the opening of the Cold War, however, Congress has clawed back some of the more expansive authorities (e.g., price controls). Only Titles I, III, and VII have survived reauthorization into the present…

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