Press Releases
09/26/2017
Gov. Malloy Urges Federal Government to Provide Puerto Rico with Waiver on Shipping Restrictions in Aftermath of Hurricanes
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy this afternoon sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke urging the department to waive the Jones Act for Puerto Rico in the aftermath of two devastating hurricanes that have created a humanitarian crisis on the island.
The Jones Act requires that all goods shipped between waterborne ports of the United States be exclusively carried by ships that were built in the United States and are owned and operated by U.S. citizens. Waiving the requirement would help speed up the shipment of goods to Puerto Rican residents who are in desperate need of commodities.
“While ports are currently closed, the federal government should leave no doubt that as those ports reopen, any vessel that can provide assistance to Puerto Rico would be allowed to provide assistance without delay,” Governor Malloy wrote. “As the recovery effort is likely to last for months and even years, the restrictions the Jones Act puts into effect are an unnecessary obstacle to a robust and widespread relief effort that will assuredly be necessary.”
**Download: Letter from Governor Malloy to the Department of Homeland Security on waiving the Jones Act for Puerto Rico- Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
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