Over the years, lawmakers and presidents have proposed making somewhat controversial changes to the Jones Act. Some have gone so far as to recommend repealing it entirely as Senator John McCain did in 2015.
The Jones Act, passed in 1920, protects legally-defined maritime workers and helps maintain a safe and efficient maritime industry by holding employers accountable for worker injuries and fatalities.
The Jones Act has played an important role in protecting maritime workers and in pushing for safe working environments for them. It has also played a big role in helping to maintain a vital, safe and efficient maritime industry for both peace and war time in the U.S.
