The Jones Act is just another union-@ss-kissing law that hurts the American economy and promotes foreign (rather than inter-State) trade - it should have been repealed long ago, but will probably be here forever, just like the idiotic mohair subsidies...
The Jones Act is reminiscent of the old British Navigation Acts before the Revolutionary War.
All good points. Waiving the Jones Act is the equivalent of temporarily letting non-union workers do utility repairs in the region affected by Hurrican Sandy.
Jones act repeal would kill the American shipping industry overnight. All Americans would be driven out by foreign companies with foreign made equipment. Jones Act is bad policy but would cause billions of dOllars of US investment to bE jEopardized if suddenly repealed. If done in a way that is phased and/or mindful of domestic interests, it could help spur some growth in the industry. That said, the effect of Jones Act is complex and has many American livelihoods tied to it. Mine included.