Posted:
March 29, 2012
Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain this week was blocked from using a pending energy bill as a vehicle to attack the Jones Act.
The Senator was stymied by a limit on amendments to S. 2204, a bill to extend tax credits for renewable energy development and to repeal longstanding tax breaks for the oil and natural gas industry. Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid used his authority as Majority Leader to restrict the number of amendments.
On Tuesday, Sen. McCain filed four amendments he had hoped would be considered during floor debate on S. 2204. The amendments would have repealed or waived the Jones Act as it applies to oil and petroleum product tank vessels, liquefied natural gas carriers and small passenger vessels.
On Wednesday, Sen. McCain acknowledged that consideration of his amendments this time would be "denied," but he reaffirmed his career-long opposition to the Jones Act, which holds all domestic waterborne commerce for merchant vessels owned, built, flagged and crewed in the United States.
"I think that the Jones Act should be repealed - should be repealed completely," he said. "But if it cannot be repealed, couldn't we at least waive the Jones Act restrictions on coastwise trade for oil and gas tankers?"
On Thursday, the issue became moot when the Senate voted 51-47 to stall S. 2204. Under Senate rules, at least 60 votes are necessary to bring a bill to the floor for debate, amendment and a vote.
"We have not seen or heard the last of Sen. John McCain on Jones Act issues," American Maritime Officers National President Tom Bethel warned. "He will attempt to attach his amendments to other legislation this year - sooner, rather than later.
"The threat this time was directed primarily at Jones Act services in energy markets," Bethel continued. "But, ultimately, every Jones Act service - coastal container shipments, the movement of iron ore and other industrial raw materials on the Great Lakes, the shipment of grain by barge - is at risk."
Bethel renewed his call for union-wide participation in the American Maritime Officers Voluntary Political Action Fund, which has helped sustain a strong bipartisan Jones Act support base in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.
Procedural move thwarts Sen. McCain's assault on Jones Act
Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain this week was blocked from using a pending energy bill as a vehicle to attack the Jones Act.
The Senator was stymied by a limit on amendments to S. 2204, a bill to extend tax credits for renewable energy development and to repeal longstanding tax breaks for the oil and natural gas industry. Nevada Democratic Sen. Harry Reid used his authority as Majority Leader to restrict the number of amendments.
On Tuesday, Sen. McCain filed four amendments he had hoped would be considered during floor debate on S. 2204. The amendments would have repealed or waived the Jones Act as it applies to oil and petroleum product tank vessels, liquefied natural gas carriers and small passenger vessels.
On Wednesday, Sen. McCain acknowledged that consideration of his amendments this time would be "denied," but he reaffirmed his career-long opposition to the Jones Act, which holds all domestic waterborne commerce for merchant vessels owned, built, flagged and crewed in the United States.
"I think that the Jones Act should be repealed - should be repealed completely," he said. "But if it cannot be repealed, couldn't we at least waive the Jones Act restrictions on coastwise trade for oil and gas tankers?"
On Thursday, the issue became moot when the Senate voted 51-47 to stall S. 2204. Under Senate rules, at least 60 votes are necessary to bring a bill to the floor for debate, amendment and a vote.
"We have not seen or heard the last of Sen. John McCain on Jones Act issues," American Maritime Officers National President Tom Bethel warned. "He will attempt to attach his amendments to other legislation this year - sooner, rather than later.
"The threat this time was directed primarily at Jones Act services in energy markets," Bethel continued. "But, ultimately, every Jones Act service - coastal container shipments, the movement of iron ore and other industrial raw materials on the Great Lakes, the shipment of grain by barge - is at risk."
Bethel renewed his call for union-wide participation in the American Maritime Officers Voluntary Political Action Fund, which has helped sustain a strong bipartisan Jones Act support base in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.