Today (Sept. 28), the White House authorized the temporary waiving of a shipping regulation dating to nearly a century ago, known as the Jones Act, to enable much-needed aid to reach Puerto Rico.
Also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Jones Act states that transportation of passengers or cargo between coastal points on U.S. soil — including districts and territories, such as Puerto Rico — is restricted to ships that were built in the United States, are U.S.-owned and fly the American flag, according to the Maritime Law Center.
The Jones Act waiver was issued in response to a direct appeal to the White House from Puerto Rico’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted this morning, stating, "It will go into effect immediately."
In 1920, Washington Sen. Wesley L. Jones — after whom the Jones Act was named — outlined legislation to support and maintain an American merchant marine fleet that could compete with other shipping powerhouses around the world.
Helping or harming?
However, critics of the Jones Act have since argued that it may be hampering U.S. businesses by denying them access to a wider range of shipping resources.
It is also unclear if the Jones Act contributes significantly to national security by restricting foreign shipping, Grennes wrote in the study, noting that "there is no evidence to indicate that Jones Act requirements reduce terrorism in the United States."
McCain also tweeted today that since Congress had "finally" moved to suspend the law, members should consider repealing it, "to aid long-term recovery," he wrote.