Senators ask President to oppose 'any efforts to weaken the Jones Act'

The following letter dated April 27 and signed by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) was sent to President Trump.

We appreciate the strong leadership you have shown during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. As the nation prepares to reopen the economy, we urge you to oppose any proposal that would weaken the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly referred to as the Jones Act (P.L. 66-261). Undermining this law would cost American jobs and damage the domestic maritime industry.

The Jones Act has enhanced American prosperity and national security for 100 years. It ensures that maritime transportation between two U.S. ports is carried out by vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed. The law is fully consistent with your Buy American, Hire American agenda.

Unfortunately, opponents of the Jones Act have used the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to attempt to undermine existing law. There is absolutely no connection between the Jones Act and COVID-19. In fact, the law has helped produce the types of vessels and qualified mariners necessary to support a variety of crisis response operations. If anything, the Administration and Congress should look for ways to strengthen the Jones Act.

We ask that you join us in opposing any efforts to weaken the Jones Act.