1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Waivers of Jones Act Shipping Requirements John Frittelli Specialist in Transportation Policy September 29, 2017 On September 28, the Trump Administration issued a temporary waiver of the Jones Act (27 of the Merchant Mari
2、ne Act of 1920) to facilitate response to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. In recent weeks, the Administration issued similar waivers affecting Texas and Louisiana, following Hurricane Harvey, and affecting Florida, following Hurricane Irma. This CRS Insight is intended to
3、 clarify the process and requirements for obtaining waivers of this law. The Jones Act requires that vessels transporting goods or passengers between U.S. points be built in the United States, at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. The U.S. Virgin Islands is exempte
4、d from the law (as is American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands), while Puerto Rico is exempted for passengers but not for cargo. The Jones Act requirements may constrain the available supply of ships at particular times and places in the United States, which is why the requirements frequently