A law designed to protect American ship-building is limiting aid delivery to Puerto Rico
In the aftermath of hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is dealing with horrifying devastation. One thing that could help with a recovery thats bound to be long and difficult is opening the ports to emergency-supply-laden foreign boats. Plenty such boats come and go to the US that could be deployed for that task, but theres a catch: Theyre not allowed to unload their wares on the island.
Under a long-standing US law, the 1920 Merchant Marine Act, all the transportation of goods between US ports has to be done by US vessels exclusively. This means that ships from other countries cant transport supplies between US harbors. That limits the number of available boats, even in unusual, extreme situations such as what Puerto Rico is experiencing now.
In the wake of past natural disasters, the US has temporarily lifted the rule, known as the Jones Act after its sponsor, senator Wesley Jones. The Department of Homeland Security did that earlier this month in response to hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which hammered the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts.
https://qz.com/1087325/what-is-the-jones-act-and-how-is-it-affecting-puerto-ricos-hurricane-recovery/
Moostache
(9,895 posts)For fuck's sake, I see every shitheel mouth breathing 'moran' blather on about how "their tax dollars" should never be used for abortions or whatever the fuck they don't like that day....blacks, Hispanics, Mexicans, women, gays, people....well, goddamn it...we have ships and capabilities in the Navy that should be 100% dedicated to SAVING AMERICANS...not intimidating North Koreans or anyone else...
JESUS FUCKING CHRIST CRUCIFIED....they just announced the US hospital ship from VIRGINIA won't be at the island until NEXT WEEK?!?!?!?!? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE understand they do not have TIME....this is unbelievable...
Turbineguy
(37,285 posts)The government always seems to find ways of bypassing that. We have a republican government and there's profits to be made.