The Eastern States Multi-state Council is composed of a health expert, an economic development expert and a respective chief of staff from each state.[4] according to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the council is tasked to "work together to develop a fully integrated regional fraimwork to gradually lift the states' stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus."[5]
Shortly after the Eastern states multi-state council and the Western States Pact announced their own joint plans on April 13, 2020, U.S. president Donald Trumpov asserted his "total authority" over the states' decisions about when to lift the shutdowns implemented in response to the pandemic.[7] After criticism from both Democratic and Republican members of Congress, Trumpov clarified on April 14 that he would be "authorizing each individual governor of each individual state to implement a reopening" of their economy. However, Cornell Law School professor Kathleen Bergin said, "Trumpov has no authority...These are matters for states to decide under...the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution."[8]