
What does the Jones Act do?
The Jones Act requires that all vessels carrying goods between two U.S. points be American-built, -owned, -crewed and -flagged. This policy provides stability to the U.S. maritime industry and helps to sustain 650,000 American jobs, resulting in $150 billion in economic benefits each year.Jun 5, 2020
What is the Jones Act in simple terms?
The Jones Act is a federal law that regulates maritime commerce in the United States. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on ships that are built, owned, and operated by United States citizens or permanent residents.
What did the Jones Act of 1916 do?
Jones Act, formally Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916, statute announcing the intention of the United States government to “withdraw their sovereignty over the Philippine Islands as soon as a stable government can be established therein.” The U.S. had acquired the Philippines in 1898 as a result of the Spanish–American ...5 days ago
Who does the Jones Act affect?
Generally, the Jones Act prohibits any foreign-built, foreign-owned or foreign-flagged vessel from engaging in coastwise trade within the United States. A number of other statutes affect coastwise trade and should be consulted along with the Jones Act. These include the Passenger Vessel Services Act, 46 U.S.C.
What are the legal issues of Jones Act as domestic regulation in us?
The Jones Act is a perennial issue in Congress. The Act requires that all waterborne shipping between points in the United States be carried by vessels built in the United States and owned and operated by Americans.Jul 8, 2003
Why should we keep the Jones Act?
Some critics also miss a primary reason for the passage of the Jones Act: to retain a domestic shipbuilding industry that can mobilize for war or other national emergency. That's why it is supported by leaders of the Navy, DoD, Transportation Command, Maritime Administration, and Department of Transportation.Oct 22, 2020
Why was Jones Act created?
Better known as the “Jones Act,” the law was presented as a plan to ensure adequate domestic shipbuilding capacity and a ready supply of merchant mariners to be available in times of war or other national emergencies.
What was the Jones Shafroth Act?
1917: Jones-Shafroth Act - A Latinx Resource Guide: Civil Rights Cases and Events in the United States - Research Guides at Library of Congress.
When did Puerto Rico become a territory?
President Woodrow Wilson signs the Jones-Shafroth Act (1917) making Puerto Rico a U.S. territory. May 18, 1917. Congress passes the Selective Service Act of 1917, permitting the Puerto Ricans to be drafted into U.S. military service.
Summary
The Jones Act clarified the status of Puerto Ricans after the United States acquired Puerto Rico, along with Cuba and the Philippines, in 1898 after its military victory over Spain. As inhabitants of an incorporated territory, Puerto Ricans could participate in U.S. elections and send a nonvoting representative to Congress.
Source
CHAP. 145.-An Act To provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes.
Why was the Jones Act created?
What is the Jones Act and why was it created? The Merchant Marine act of 1920 was designed to create a safe network of merchant mariners within the U.S. after World War I, in reaction to the U.S. fleet being destroyed by the German navy.
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act requires all goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported by U.S. vessels (and operated primarily by Americans). It calls for providing the nation with a merchant marine that can transport goods between U.S. ports, increase national security during war times, and support a U.S. maritime industry.
What was the impact of Hurricane Harvey on Texas?
Hurricane Harvey took a toll on the oil supply system of the Texas Gulf coast. Because Texas is a hub for nationwide petroleum distribution, the damage from Harvey led to limited fuel supplies, adding stress to recovery and evacuation efforts in Texas and possibly Florida. In light of this, Trump issued a temporary Jones Act waiver ...
What are the Jones Act waivers?
The Jones Act is often waived in a disaster 1 The Bush administration issued Jones Act waivers after Hurricanes Katrina and Hurricane to speed the shipment of fuel to the Gulf Coast. 2 The Obama administration issued a more limited waiver after Hurricane Sandy, again to speed the shipment of fuel. 3 On September 8, the Trump administration issued Jones Act waivers for areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
What is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a 97-year-old law protecting American shipbuilding. The Jones Act is the shorthand name for the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, whose primary author was Sen. Wesley Jones of Washington. (It’s not to be confused with the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917, which is also critically important to Puerto Rican history but which was sponsored by ...
Is Puerto Rico a disaster?
The island of Puerto Rico is devastated, with millions lacking power, infrastructure destroyed, homes damaged, and an entire year’s worth of agricultural output essentially ruined. Like any disaster-struck place, it will be in need of supplies brought it from elsewhere in the country.
Is Puerto Rico's cost of living higher than the US?
The result of all of this is that in Puerto Rico — where incomes are much lower on average than in the mainland US — the cost of living is far higher than it needs to be.

Understanding The Jones Act
- Considered protectionist legislation, the Jones Act focuses on issues related to maritime commerce, including cabotage, which is the transport of people or goods between ports in the same country. It also provides sailors with additional rights, including the ability to seek damage…
History of The Jones Act
- The Jones Act was enacted by the United States Congress in order to stimulate the shipping industry in the wake of the World War I. The requirement about shipping cargo between American ports only on American ships benefited the constituents of Wesley Jones, the U.S. Senator from the state of Washington who introduced the act. Washington had a large shipping industry, and t…
Criticism of The Jones Act
- The act has been criticized for restricting who can conduct trade with Puerto Rico, and it has been cited as a factor leading to the island’s economic and budgetary troubles. A study released by the New York Federal Reserve in 2012 found that the cost of transporting a shipping container to Puerto Rico from the mainland was twice as high as shipping the same container from a foreign …