By Daniel Flatley (Bloomberg) -- Congress should take steps to reduce the cost of shipping fuel to Puerto Rico, including possibly suspending or exempting them from the requirement that they travel on U.S.-flagged vessels, a congressionally appointed overseer said. "We believe that any measures that the Congress takes to ensure that the cost of shipping fuels to Puerto Rico … [Read more...]
Congressional Leaders Defend the Jones Act During Hearing on Hurricane Relief and Recovery Efforts
Congressional leaders from both sides of the isle defended the Jones Act's impact on hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico during a hearing this week exploring initial lessons learned from the 2017 hurricanes and key challenges and obstacles that may remain in the way of recovery. The House Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing … [Read more...]
GOP Senators Hold Up Disaster Aid Bill Over Jones Act Shipping Concerns in Puerto Rico – Politico
At least two GOP Senators are delaying the swift passage of a bill that will provide $36.5 billion in disaster relief funding over demands that Puerto Rico be permanently exempt from the Jones Act, Politico reported on Monday. Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona and Senator Mike Lee of Utah are holding up the legislation due to fiscal concerns, but also to allow Puerto Rico to bow … [Read more...]
Crowley Adds Six Vessels to Puerto Rico Trade After Storm
By the end of this week Jacksonville-based shipping company Crowley Maritime Corporation will have offloaded more than 6,500 loads of FEMA and commercial cargo from 20 vessels at its San Juan, Puerto Rico terminal since Hurricane Maria struck the island in late September, the company said in an update Tuesday. Crowley projects another 9 vessels, carrying between 2,500 and … [Read more...]
House Bill Seeks 5-Year Moratorium of Jones Act in Puerto Rico
Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) have introduced a bill that would place a 5-year moratorium of the Jones Act in Puerto Rico as the U.S. commonwealth recovers from Hurricane Maria. The bill, known as the Puerto Rico Humanitarian Act (H.R. 3966), was introduced before the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Armed Services … [Read more...]