Will Hawaii be the next Puerto Rico?

Jones Act researcher lays out its failures and false arguments

From Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

We’d like to thank everyone who turned out last week for our two luncheons at which New York-based economic researcher John Dunham spoke about how reforming the 99-year-old federal maritime law known as the Jones Act could benefit Puerto Rico, Hawaii and, indeed, the whole nation.

The well-attended event presented ground-breaking information about the protectionist shipping law, including about its history, its economic impact, and how it came to be so entrenched in the political swamp of Washington, D.C. 

His findings about the measure’s effect on Puerto Rico were heart-breaking, both in terms of the law’s everyday impact and how it has delayed delivery of much-needed relief supplies to the U.S territory in the wake of deadly Hurricane Maria, which slammed the island in late 2017.

Dunham said the Jones Act was originally justified on the grounds that it was necessary to ensure our nation’s commercial growth, national defense and national independence. But, “Interestingly,” he said, “these 1920 arguments are exactly the same arguments that are used today by the proponents of the Jones Act, even though every single one of them has been proven to be untrue.”

To see the full presentation, click below. To read more about the Jones Act, go here.

For more information on the Jones Act, visit: JONES ACT