A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to pass legislation to exempt Puerto Rico and other noncontiguous states and territories from the Jones Act.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would exempt Puerto Rico and other noncontiguous states and territories, such as Alaska and Hawaii, from the Jones Act. The Jones Act, enacted in 1920, requires goods transported between U.S. ports to be on ships built in the U.S., owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The resolution highlights the significant financial burden the Jones Act places on these areas, driving up costs for imports and exports, and hindering their economic competitiveness. It also points to difficulties in obtaining emergency waivers during disasters, like after Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico.
Key provisions
- Urges Congress to pass legislation exempting Puerto Rico and other noncontiguous states/territories from the Jones Act.
- Acknowledges the Jones Act’s origins in post-World War I efforts to build a domestic merchant marine.
- States that the Jones Act costs Hawaii $1.2 billion and Puerto Rico $1.5 billion annually.
- Notes the difficulty in obtaining waivers for the Jones Act, citing changes to the waiver process in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act.
- Highlights the challenges faced by Puerto Rico in obtaining waivers during emergencies, such as after Hurricane Fiona.
Who is affected
- Puerto Rico
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- U.S. Congress
- U.S. Shipping Industry
Notable changes
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Document of record
- Version
- Pn 0366 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
This version is published only as a document. Open the viewer to read it here, or download the file.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
9 on record
Primary sponsor
Jose Giral
Cosponsors
Benjamin Sanchez
G. Roni Green
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours