What Is the Jones Act? Opponents to 1920 Law Argue It’s Worsening Puerto Rico’s Crisis

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

The Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday it has not made a decision yet on whether to waive a nearly century-old shipping law that some say is hampering relief efforts in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

The Jones Act, otherwise known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires goods shipped between American ports to be carried out exclusively by ships built primarily in the United States, and to have U.S. citizens as its owners and crews.

Signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson two years after World War I ended, the Jones Act was passed as a protective measure against foreign competition, particularly Germany. By restricting trade between U.S. ports to U.S.-flagged vessels with U.S. crews, America would always have a robust fleet of boats and sailors on hand in the event that German submarines attacked the U.S. again.

The law has since found backers in the American maritime industry, which says the Jones Act supports American jobs. Recent presidents from both parties, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have touted it as crucial to national security as it reduces America's dependency on foreign-owned vessels.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/what-jones-act-opponents-1920-law-argue-it-s-worsening-n805101

[Boiler 45,541]

With a robust US maritime what is the problem?

[Dashinka 24,514]

Don't they need functional ports first?

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

2 hours ago, Bill & Katya said:

Don't they need functional ports first?

Do you mean from the storm or in general? 

 

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

With a robust US maritime what is the problem?

You cannot ship any goods from anywhere unless it goes to the mainland first. This adds days and costs without value added.

The emergent need is that if relief is coming from say Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico it will need to be shipped to the mainland first.

The longer-term issue is that it raises the cost of living on  PR and hampers their ability to export.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

4 hours ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

The Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday it has not made a decision yet on whether to waive a nearly century-old shipping law that some say is hampering relief efforts in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

The Jones Act, otherwise known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires goods shipped between American ports to be carried out exclusively by ships built primarily in the United States, and to have U.S. citizens as its owners and crews.

Signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson two years after World War I ended, the Jones Act was passed as a protective measure against foreign competition, particularly Germany. By restricting trade between U.S. ports to U.S.-flagged vessels with U.S. crews, America would always have a robust fleet of boats and sailors on hand in the event that German submarines attacked the U.S. again.

The law has since found backers in the American maritime industry, which says the Jones Act supports American jobs. Recent presidents from both parties, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have touted it as crucial to national security as it reduces America's dependency on foreign-owned vessels.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/what-jones-act-opponents-1920-law-argue-it-s-worsening-n805101

Another gift that keeps on giving from the Democratic party 

[Boiler 45,541]

Union members must be protected at all costs.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

39 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Union members must be protected at all costs.

Although that is back when the Democratic party was thick with KKK members but after republicans freed the slaves, so it probably does not count 

[CaliCat 3,957]

5 hours ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

Do you mean from the storm or in general? 

 

You cannot ship any goods from anywhere unless it goes to the mainland first. This adds days and costs without value added.

The emergent need is that if relief is coming from say Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico it will need to be shipped to the mainland first.

The longer-term issue is that it raises the cost of living on  PR and hampers their ability to export.

 

 

And even in these times where help is desperately needed, the so-called president will not make an exception. I guess he wants to make sure his friends make as much money as they can from the tragedy.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/the-latest-pelosi-calls-for-military-help-in-puerto-rico/2017/09/25/86d85f02-a209-11e7-b573-8ec86cdfe1ed_story.html?utm_term=.38c194a697fe

1:15 p.m.

The Trump administration says it is not planning to waive federal restrictions on foreign ships’ transportation of cargo to Puerto Rico and other areas affected by Hurricane Maria, as it did following hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security says officials believe there is sufficient capacity of U.S.-flagged vessels to move goods to Puerto Rico. Spokesman David Lapan said most of the humanitarian shipments to Puerto Rico will be through barges, which make up a significant portion of the U.S.-flagged cargo fleet.

DHS waived Jones Act restrictions during Harvey and Irma in order to move oil more quickly to the East Coast and make up for the loss of pipelines.

 

New York Rep Nydia Velazquez has asked for a Jones Act waiver for Maria.

__

11:45 a.m.

The top Democrat in the House is calling upon President Donald Trump to deploy the military to help with the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico.

The island territory of more than 3 million U.S. citizens is reeling in the devastating wake of Hurricane Maria. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says Pentagon resources are needed for search-and-rescue operations, maintaining order, and help with transportation.

The California Democrat also said that the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands “deserve to know that their government will be there for them, without question or hesitation.”

The devastation in Puerto Rico has received relatively little media coverage compared to Harvey and Hurricane Irma, and President Donald Trump hasn’t brought much attention to it.

 

 

 

 

[Dashinka 24,514]

11 hours ago, CaliCat said:

 

 

And even in these times where help is desperately needed, the so-called president will not make an exception. I guess he wants to make sure his friends make as much money as they can from the tragedy.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/the-latest-pelosi-calls-for-military-help-in-puerto-rico/2017/09/25/86d85f02-a209-11e7-b573-8ec86cdfe1ed_story.html?utm_term=.38c194a697fe

1:15 p.m.

The Trump administration says it is not planning to waive federal restrictions on foreign ships’ transportation of cargo to Puerto Rico and other areas affected by Hurricane Maria, as it did following hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security says officials believe there is sufficient capacity of U.S.-flagged vessels to move goods to Puerto Rico. Spokesman David Lapan said most of the humanitarian shipments to Puerto Rico will be through barges, which make up a significant portion of the U.S.-flagged cargo fleet.

DHS waived Jones Act restrictions during Harvey and Irma in order to move oil more quickly to the East Coast and make up for the loss of pipelines.

 

New York Rep Nydia Velazquez has asked for a Jones Act waiver for Maria.

__

11:45 a.m.

The top Democrat in the House is calling upon President Donald Trump to deploy the military to help with the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico.

The island territory of more than 3 million U.S. citizens is reeling in the devastating wake of Hurricane Maria. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says Pentagon resources are needed for search-and-rescue operations, maintaining order, and help with transportation.

The California Democrat also said that the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands “deserve to know that their government will be there for them, without question or hesitation.”

The devastation in Puerto Rico has received relatively little media coverage compared to Harvey and Hurricane Irma, and President Donald Trump hasn’t brought much attention to it.

 

 

 

 

Apparently this is now a non-issue.  I wonder when Trump will start getting hammered for taking away union jobs?

 

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/352822-sanders-jones-act-has-been-lifted

[Boiler 45,541]

1 minute ago, Bill & Katya said:

Apparently this is now a non-issue.  I wonder when Trump will start getting hammered for taking away union jobs?

 

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/352822-sanders-jones-act-has-been-lifted

We need  new thread.

[CaliCat 3,957]

6 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

Apparently this is now a non-issue.  I wonder when Trump will start getting hammered for taking away union jobs?

 

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/352822-sanders-jones-act-has-been-lifted

 

I'd say that if you lived in PR, and were in dire need of help, the issue is still very much relevant. Just ask the folks in TX, LA, and FL.

[Boiler 45,541]

All victims of climate change.

[Dashinka 24,514]

16 minutes ago, CaliCat said:

 

I'd say that if you lived in PR, and were in dire need of help, the issue is still very much relevant. Just ask the folks in TX, LA, and FL.

I'd say that it takes time unless you think dozens of ships coming into ports with limited capability are helpful, but whatever.

 

[Boiler 45,541]

Just now, Bill & Katya said:

I'd say that it takes time unless you think dozens of ships coming into ports with limited capability are helpful, but whatever.

 

If only the Saint Obama was still in charge.

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

4 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

I'd say that it takes time unless you think dozens of ships coming into ports with limited capability are helpful, but whatever.

 

The President signed a waiver this morning, it is the right thing to do when US Shippers don't have the capacity for an emergency.