Page 22: of Marine News Magazine (November 2020)

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COLUMN

Washington Watch

By Jeff Vogel

Working Out the Election’ s Impact on the

U.S. Workboat Industry

By the time this article is published, voting will have New England. Ultimately, the Administration declined to concluded in the 2020 United States presidential election. issue such a waiver, and has only issued limited Jones Act

Based on the possibility of legal challenges to the election, waivers under the existing authority of 46 U.S.C. § 501, in however, it may be some time before we know who will be response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017. occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on January 20, 2021. Moreover, in recent months, the Trump Administration has

Additional uncertainty may linger with regard to control increased its public support for the Jones Act. For example, of the Senate. However, beyond the general spectacle of on October 2, 2020, the White Of? ce of Trade and Manu-

American politics, an important question remains: What facturing Policy released its Buy American, Hire American does this election mean for the U.S. workboat industry? report, in which the Jones Act featured prominently. The report noted that the Jones Act “helps ensure America has a

Jones Act support will continue robust domestic shipbuilding capability, which is a critical

Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, it element of our defense industrial base” and “helps ensure is reasonable to assume that Executive Branch support for our nation has a merchant marine work force suf? cient to

U.S. cabotage laws will continue. President Trump had a serve both our commercial and military needs.” Based on somewhat turbulent start with the Jones Act. For example, these recent reports, it appears that President Trump would it was widely reported in 2019 that the Trump Adminis- support the Jones Act during a second term.

tration was considering a blanket 10-year waiver for the Correspondingly, Vice President Biden has been explicit transportation of lique? ed natural gas to Puerto Rico and in his support of the Jones Act, which has resulted in of- © chrisdorney / Adobe Stock

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