The Jones Act and the American domestic maritime industry are vital to the national security and economic vitality of the United States and the efficient operation of the United States transportation system.
Nearly half a million jobs enrich the American economy as a direct result of the Jones Act maritime industry and generates more than $29 billion in annual wages.
The Jones Act boosts the national economy by maintaining the efficient and economical flow of domestic waterborne commerce, and providing good, family-wage jobs for Americans. To note, for every job created in an American shipyard, four jobs elsewhere in the U.S. economy are generated.
Moreover, the Jones Act fleet contributes militarily useful ships and experienced crews to national defense sealift needs that can be used in times of war or for humanitarian missions. Skilled U.S. merchant mariners are available to crew vessels that move goods for the military, supplying U.S. military forces around the world with the goods and munitions needed to sustain their missions.
The Jones Act and related cabotage laws are critical for American economic, national, and homeland security and have had the support of the U.S. Navy, Members of Congress of both parties, and every President in modern history.
JOHN GARAMENDI
Former Lieutenant Governor of California; Elected to Congress in 2009
“If we think about the future, if we think about what is possible, we can see a resurgence in the maritime industry and every one of its pieces. America will soon export liquefied natural gas, LNG, and quite possibly crude oil. Let’s require that the export of theses national assets be done on American built ships, flying the American flag with American sailors. Consider the possibility of American shipyards building hundreds of new tankers, tens of thousands of middle class American jobs and thousands of American mariners.”
VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TERENCE MCAULIFFE
Speaking during the Military to Maritime career fair in March 2015
“The U.S. shipyard industrial base in Virginia is vital to America’s national and economic security. The Commonwealth leads the nation in shipbuilding with more than 63,000 jobs worth more than $5.5 billion, which is why we are so happy to welcome the Military to Maritime program to Norfolk. Connecting Virginia’s veterans with good opportunities in our thriving domestic shipbuilding and maritime industry, which can benefit from their unique skills and training, is a top priority. Veterans can play a central role in our world-class workforce and help our companies grow as part of the new Virginia economy.”
GENERAL DARREN W. MCDEW
Commander, U.S. Transportation Command
“The Jones Act allows us to have additional ships in U.S. trade with U.S. flag. It also provides additional mariners, so the Jones Act, for me, is part of the overall readiness of our maritime industry and our ability to go to war… There are several pieces of U.S. law that are part of the industrial base and its not just one. The Jones Act is probably the anchor for it, but without the Jones Act, without MSP, without cargo preference; our maritime industry is in jeopardy, and our ability to project a force is in jeopardy.”
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