Rep. Linda Sanchez rebutted a Washington Post editorial that supported repeal of the Jones Act.
Excerpt from her letter to the editor:
I would expect patriotic Americans of all political stripes, including Republicans such as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), to welcome with open arms the Jones Act, which requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on U.S. flag ships, constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Instead of supporting American industry, American workers and American environmental standards, Sen. McCain has introduced legislation to repeal the Jones Act.
The Jones Act is necessary to prevent our economy from being dominated and controlled by foreign shipping interests. A domestic maritime industry also provides a significant source of employment that is important to maintaining a cadre of well-trained, loyal American merchant mariners ready and able to respond in a time of war or other emergency. A privately owned, U.S.-flagged fleet is vital to our economic, military and international political security.