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Washington, DC - Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) led a group of his House colleagues in a letter to President Trump expressing strong opposition to temporarily waiving the Jones Act for the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

The Jones Act requires ships moving between our ports to be American-crewed, American-owned, American-built, and American-flagged. The act helps ensure thousands of ship-building jobs aren’t lost to overseas competition, while protecting our national defense interests.

This letter follows a short-sighted Congressional proposal to permanently repeal the Jones Act.

"Protecting our national defense is a sworn responsibility of every member in our legislative body. I believe that there are very few industries that are as important to the economic health and security of our nation as those who comprise our maritime industries. Understanding the potential ramifications associated with waiving the Jones Act and allowing foreign imports of any sort could seriously harm our national security. From both an economic perspective and a national security perspective, we cannot sit idly by as uninformed individuals in Congress attempt to erode our American maritime industry," Palazzo said. 

The letter that was sent can be viewed here.