AMO Currents - Senator McCain's attack on Jones Act thwarted, for now

AMO Currents - Posted: January 29, 2015

Senator McCain's attack on Jones Act thwarted, for now

The Senate today voted to approve S. 1, legislation to approve construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) filed an amendment to the legislation that would have eliminated the U.S.-build requirement of the Jones Act. That amendment was not brought up for a vote or included in the legislation.

During a speech on the floor of the Senate, Senator McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he would continue his effort to do away with the Jones Act. Although he spoke for more than 10 minutes on the floor, Senator McCain did not once personally address the acknowledged importance of the Jones Act and the U.S. domestic maritime industry to national defense, security and U.S. military strategy.

Senator McCain's attack on the Jones Act did generate a strong response from congressional supporters of the nation's cornerstone cabotage law, the U.S. shipyard industrial base and the American maritime industry, and their critical roles in national defense, security and commerce.

American Maritime Officers and American Maritime Officers Service opposed the amendment proposed by Senator McCain and will remain vigilant for future attacks on the Jones Act, the U.S. maritime industry and U.S. merchant marine.