Would a Jones Act Exemption Help Puerto Rico?

[TexasTowelie]

On November 19th, a Unity March for Puerto Rico will take place from 10am-2pm at the National Mall in Washington, DC. Speaker and activist Evelyn “Eve” Mejil is the organizer. She says the march is “a declaration that WE THE PEOPLE take a stand and unite our voices in solidarity against laws that do not serve the people of Puerto Rico. The mission of Unity March for Puerto Rico is to unite all people with one voice against the unjust law that has been systematically oppressive and crippling to the people and the socio-economic growth and sustainability of the island. We are asking that our leaders make the necessary legislative changes to the Jones Act to uplift the people of Puerto Rico and hearten, support and sustain the economic growth of the island.”

Puerto Rico needs a lot of things right now: clean drinking water, functional sewer systems, electrical power, reliable telecommunications, equitable disaster relief funding, and a plan to rebuild from Hurricane Maria.

Does Puerto Rico need to be exempt from the Jones Act?

What is the Jones Act?

Also known as the Merchant Marines Act of 1920, the Jones Act applies to ships carrying commercial goods from one part of the United States to another. While the phrase “part of” might not always apply to Puerto Rico, for the purposes of the Jones Act, it does.

A ship carrying commercial goods from Florida to Puerto Rico, for example, is subject to the Jones Act.

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Didn't they exempt it briefly then reinstate it?

This entire situation has been handled even worse than Katrina and Sandy. Didn't we learn a thing from them? It's worse than a disgrace, it's a tragedy.

[mercuryblues]

2. The Jones Act is more than that

It provides seamen for the ability to sue employers for compensation for on the job injuries.

It makes sure there is a ready reserve fleet in cases of national emergencies.

During the Gulf War 90% of the supplies that our troops received were by US merchant ships.

During WWII same thing, many merchant ships were also sunk by German U-Boats. Google Liberty Ships

Merchant Mariners have a strong union. Breaking the Jones act would bust the Union.

A ship from Europe can drop of cargo in Puerto Rico, they can even pick up cargo in PR. The only thing they can't do is drop the cargo pick up in PR and discharge it at another American port. There was nothing stopping a ship from France dropping off a load of donated supplies.

It is also a lie that PR pays more for goods because of the Jones act. The CBO has stated that it can not be figured because of the many different regulations of foreign ships. The comparison of consumer prices between the USVI (not subject to the Jones Act) and PR show that the USVI has a higher or equal to PR. PR receives all it's gas and oil from foreign ships.