Would a Jones Act Exemption Help Puerto Rico?

[mercuryblues]

2. The Jones Act is more than that

It provides seamen for the ability to sue employers for compensation for on the job injuries.

It makes sure there is a ready reserve fleet in cases of national emergencies.

During the Gulf War 90% of the supplies that our troops received were by US merchant ships.

During WWII same thing, many merchant ships were also sunk by German U-Boats. Google Liberty Ships

Merchant Mariners have a strong union. Breaking the Jones act would bust the Union.

A ship from Europe can drop of cargo in Puerto Rico, they can even pick up cargo in PR. The only thing they can't do is drop the cargo pick up in PR and discharge it at another American port. There was nothing stopping a ship from France dropping off a load of donated supplies.

It is also a lie that PR pays more for goods because of the Jones act. The CBO has stated that it can not be figured because of the many different regulations of foreign ships. The comparison of consumer prices between the USVI (not subject to the Jones Act) and PR show that the USVI has a higher or equal to PR. PR receives all it's gas and oil from foreign ships.