Jones Act edit
The Repeal of the Jones Act (S. 1894) is a proposed piece of legislation brought forth to the Senate on September 28, 2017. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced legislation to permanently exempt the island of Puerto Rico from the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, or the Jones Act.
Proposal edit
The bill would exempt Puerto Rico from the coastwise laws of the United States (commonly known as the "Jones Act"), and add the island to the current list of existing Jones Act-exempt territories, which includes American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Guam, Alaska, Hawaii, and other U.S. coastwise points.
Past Efforts edit
1998 edit
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS FOR JONES ACT WAIVERS (S. 661)
In 1998, Senator McCain sponsored legislation that was signed into law to provide an administrative process for obtaining a Jones Act waiver for certain foreign vessels to trade between U.S. ports, eliminating the previous requirement for Congress to pass legislation for every waiver.
2010 edit
Open America’s Waters Act (S. 3525)
After a week of the Gulf Coast oil spill explosion, 13 countries, including several European nations, offered assistance from vessels and crews with experience in removing oil spill debris. As of June 21st, the State Department had acknowledged that overall ‘it had 21 aid offers from 17 countries.’ However, due to the Jones Act, these vessels are not permitted in U.S. waters. [1]
On June 23rd 2010, Senator McCain introduced legislation with Senator Mr. Risch (R-ID) to fully repeal the Jones Act. The 111th Congress never got enact the legislation, so the bill died. “Some Senators have put forward legislation to waive the Jones Act during emergency situations, and I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation. However, the best course of action is to permanently repeal the Jones Act in order to boost the economy, saving consumers hundreds of millions of dollars." According to McCain. [2]
2015 edit
Open America’s Waters Act (S. 1561)
He reintroduced the same piece of legislation in 2015 .
2017 edit
Open America’s Waters Act (S. 1561)
On July 13th 2017, Senator McCain (R-AZ) again introduced legislation to fully repeal the Jones Act.