Jones Act

Jeff Luse | 10.29.2024 11:36 AM

Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a plan on Sunday to increase "access to reliable, affordable electricity" in Puerto Rico and strengthen the island's grid against extreme weather. Like other Harris proposals, the plan would inflate the size of the federal government through top-down decision making and increase tax credits for Harris' preferred energy sources. Noticeably, Harris' proposal does not include a repeal of the Jones Act, which for decades has increased energy costs and hurt grid reliability in Puerto Rico.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, requires any goods being shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on an American-owned, built, and flagged vessel with a majority American crew. Originally intended to protect U.S. shipbuilding, the Jones Act has made America's maritime industry less competitive while increasing costs for consumers.

The failures of the Jones Act have disproportionately hurt Puerto Rico. In 2017, when Hurricane Maria ravaged the island, U.S. aid was delayed for more than a week until President Donald Trump signed a 10-day Jones Act waiver. Hurricane relief efforts were yet again........

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