Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Thursday announced they are introducing a measure that would permanently exempt Puerto Rico from a century-old shipping law that the island’s governor said has hindered the delivery of emergency aid.
The Trump administration on Thursday temporarily waived the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 — often called the Jones Act — for Puerto Rico in an effort to facilitate relief efforts in the U.S. territory in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
But that waiver is only set to last 10 days, which McCain said is not sufficient to help Puerto Rico recover from a storm that has devastated its infrastructure and left most of its population without power.
The Jones Act requires that only U.S.-flagged ships be used to deliver cargo between U.S. ports. In a statement, McCain called the law “antiquated” and “protectionist,” and argued that it has “crippled Puerto Rico’s economy.”
Waiving the Jones Act makes it easier for Puerto Rico to receive aid by opening up ports to any ship that can bring aid, rather than only U.S. vessels. The administration similarly issued a two-week waiver for Texas and Florida after the states were struck by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
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#BREAKING: GOP senators introduce measure to permanently lift Jones Act shipping restrictions for Puerto Rico https://t.co/g8LoBh5uV2 pic.twitter.com/53PvVNSegt
— The Hill (@thehill) September 28, 2017
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