Posted:
June 10, 2016
The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, with which American Maritime Officers is affiliated, released the following statement by MTD President Michael Sacco, who is also the president of the Seafarers International Union. The House of Representatives on June 9 approved the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, which did not include the amendment proposed by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) to exempt Puerto Rico from the Jones Act.
We are very grateful to the members of the House Rules Committee for ruling that an amendment dealing with the Jones Act was not in order for the pending legislation dealing with the financial crisis in Puerto Rico.
As the facts have clearly shown, the Jones Act does not in any way have anything to do with the unfortunate financial situation before the citizens of Puerto Rico.
This amendment was simply the latest attempt by the enemies of U.S.-flag shipping to constrain decent American seafaring, shipbuilding and transportation jobs. We have weathered these fights for generations, and will remain vigilant for future attacks.
We thank U.S. Representative Garret Graves (R-LA) for defending the Jones Act before the committee, and U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) for his written public support for the Jones Act and the U.S.-flag maritime industry before the committee met. The Jones Act has long received strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, which was evident again throughout this battle.
The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO is composed of 21 national and international unions representing nearly 5 million workers in maritime-related industries and businesses.
Legislation addressing Puerto Rico's financial crisis advances without Jones Act amendment
The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, with which American Maritime Officers is affiliated, released the following statement by MTD President Michael Sacco, who is also the president of the Seafarers International Union. The House of Representatives on June 9 approved the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, which did not include the amendment proposed by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) to exempt Puerto Rico from the Jones Act.
We are very grateful to the members of the House Rules Committee for ruling that an amendment dealing with the Jones Act was not in order for the pending legislation dealing with the financial crisis in Puerto Rico.
As the facts have clearly shown, the Jones Act does not in any way have anything to do with the unfortunate financial situation before the citizens of Puerto Rico.
This amendment was simply the latest attempt by the enemies of U.S.-flag shipping to constrain decent American seafaring, shipbuilding and transportation jobs. We have weathered these fights for generations, and will remain vigilant for future attacks.
We thank U.S. Representative Garret Graves (R-LA) for defending the Jones Act before the committee, and U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) for his written public support for the Jones Act and the U.S.-flag maritime industry before the committee met. The Jones Act has long received strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, which was evident again throughout this battle.
The Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO is composed of 21 national and international unions representing nearly 5 million workers in maritime-related industries and businesses.