America’s Maritime Future is Worth More Than a Penny at the Pump

We are approaching the end of America’s 250th birthday year, a year of reflecting on the vital contributions of American maritime to building and strengthening our nation. Against this backdrop, it’s ironic and unfortunate that this year has also brought a misguided assault on the Jones Act, the foundation of America’s maritime strength and independence throughout the modern era. The tradeoff? America’s maritime future for a political talking point and less than a penny a gallon in savings at the gas pump.

In March, shortly after the initiation of hostilities in Iran, the Trump Administration announced a broad waiver of the Jones Act under 46 U.S. Code Section 501(a), which allows the law to be waived when “necessary in the interest of national defense to address an immediate adverse impact on military operations.” At the same time, the Administration signaled that the real purpose of the waiver was to bring down domestic gas prices, which had risen substantially in the wake of disruption to the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Neither justification has held up.

This story was originally published by MarineLink. Read the full story at MarineLink →