Additionally, Sen. McCain said the Jones Act is an “antiquated, protectionist law that has driven up costs.” The law “crippled Puerto Rico’s economy.”
On the other hand, Sen. Lee said the Jones Act harms American consumers. It gives foreign companies advantage over American businesses. The law also makes disaster response harder. “It is far past time to repeal it,” he added.
Sen. McCain has been fighting to repeal Jones Act
For years, Sen. McCain fought to reform and repeal the Jones Act. The senator believes that the law outlived its purpose for the benefit of special interests. He said it’s for Congress to act, end injustice, and help their fellow citizens in time of need.”
In 1998, he sponsored a bill that was signed into law to provide an administrative process for obtaining a Jones Act waiver for certain foreign vessels to trade between U.S. ports. The law eliminated the previous requirement for Congress to pass legislation for every waiver.
In 2010, Sen. McCain proposed a bill to fully repeal the Jones Act. He reintroduced the same piece of legislation in 2015 and again in July this year.
