Dems introduce bill to expand Jones Act waivers for Puerto Rico
House Democrats introduced legislation on Wednesday to allow the Trump administration to waive the Jones Act if it would help disaster relief efforts in areas such as Puerto Rico.
The nearly century-old shipping law, which has come under the spotlight after a string of recent hurricanes, requires that cargo shipments between U.S. ports only take place on American-made and operated vessels.
The administration has been facing pressure to temporarily lift shipping restrictions for Puerto Rico in order to help deliver emergency supplies more quickly and cheaply to the U.S. island territory, which is facing widespread food, water and medical supply shortages after Hurricane Maria.
But the Department of Homeland Security, which is still considering whether to grant the waiver, said it is only allowed to lift the shipping rules if it’s in the interest of national security and if there aren’t enough U.S. ships to deliver cargo.
The bill from House Democrats, however, would expand those waivers to include humanitarian relief efforts.
More: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/352784-dems-introduce-bill-to-expand-jones-act-waivers-for-puerto-rico
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