Two of Puerto Rica's top politicians (Republican Gov. Fortuño, right, and Democratic Congressman Pierluisi) are speaking publicly on the Jones Act.
Puerto Rico’s representative in the U.S. Congress, Pedro Pierluisi, has asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to launch a study of the Jones Act’s impact on Puerto Rico’s economy. The Jones Act requires that maritime transportation of cargo between Puerto Rico and the rest of the United States be carried out on U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged vessels crewed by U.S.-citizen mariners.
In requesting the study, Pierluisi has cited economists who argue that the Jones Act hurts Puerto Rico families and companies and is interfering with the island’s economic growth. So far the GAO has not responded to his request.
Another leading Puerto Rico politician, Republican Governor Luis G. Fortuño, is an outspoken critic of the Jones Act. Last year, he endorsed legislation introduced by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to bring about the repeal of the Jones Act.