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Jones Act

Large liquefied natural gas LNG carrier with 4 LNG tanks sails along the sea | ID 122478586 © Kamchai Charoenpongchai | Dreamstime.com

Jones Act

Puerto Rico Pays More For American Energy Than Its Neighbor

Because of the century-old Jones Act, U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico must use overpriced, outdated ships to import American LNG—while the Dominican Republic enjoys cheaper energy from the same source.

Dylan Landon | 4.5.2025 8:00 AM

An empty oil tanker enters the Valdez Narrows inlet in Prince William Sound, Alaska. | Hugh Rose / DanitaDelimont.com / Danita Delimont Photography/Newscom

Jones Act

Alaska Poised To Beg for Relief From Crippling Federal Shipping Restrictions

The Jones Act keeps energy-hungry Alaskans from using their own natural gas.

J.D. Tuccille | 3.26.2025 7:00 AM

image (4) | Photo courtesy Pacific Legal Foundation

Jones Act

Is the Jones Act Unconstitutional?

The law is wasteful and protectionist. Now, a new lawsuit argues that it is unconstitutional too.

Eric Boehm | 2.25.2025 1:00 PM

An orange and white crossword puzzle blank with the word Crossword in orange and the Reason logo | Lex Villena / Reason

Crossword

The Patriot and the Pension: Puzzle #74

"Vessels affected by the Jones Act"

Stella Zawistowski | 12.20.2024 8:00 AM

Container ship in a port | ID 137360423 © Photosvit | Dreamstime.com

Jones Act

If Kamala Harris Wants To Lower Energy Costs in Puerto Rico, She Should Support the Repeal of the Jones Act

For decades, the Jones Act has increased costs and hurt grid reliability in Puerto Rico.

Jeff Luse | 10.29.2024 11:36 AM

A pipeline goes up a hill, cutting through brush, with snowy mountains looming in the background. | DPST/Newscom

Regulation

Archaic Federal Law Keeps Alaskans From Using Abundant Natural Gas Reserves

The Jones Act makes the North Slope’s resources inaccessible to the state’s energy-starved residents.

J.D. Tuccille | 10.21.2024 7:00 AM

Protesters demonstrating for and against U.S. military aid | Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom

Defense Spending

Worst 4/20 Ever

Plus: A listener asks the editors to steel man the case for the Jones Act, an antiquated law that regulates maritime commerce in U.S. waters.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Eric Boehm | 4.22.2024 5:30 PM

An image of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland as parts of the structure sit in the water | Baltimore Fire Rescue/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Baltimore

The Obscure Protectionist Law That Will Slow Clean-up of the Baltimore Bridge Disaster

The best time to repeal the Foreign Dredge Act was before the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. The next best time to repeal it is right now.

Eric Boehm | 3.27.2024 5:30 PM

wind power offshore wind Jones Act federal regulations New Jersey | Photo 95084051 © Ian Dyball | Dreamstime.com

Energy & Environment

Federal Shipping Regulations Sank One of America's Biggest Offshore Wind Projects

Yup, blame the Jones Act. Again.

Eric Boehm | 12.5.2023 1:30 PM

Javier Milei with his supporters | Marcelo Manera/Newsco

Argentina

The Argentine Libertarian Dog-Friendly Darling?

Plus: Libertarian lessons in the wake of the Maui wildfires

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman | 8.21.2023 4:02 PM

whywecant havenicethingWEBTHUMB (2) | Joanna Andreasson

Reason Podcast

A New Podcast Explains Why We Can't Have Nice Things

The answer? Because special interests and government prevent the free market from working the way it should.

Eric Boehm | 8.18.2023 3:55 PM

Jones Act | Illustration: Lex Villena;  Mr.siwabud Veerapaisarn

Season 1, Episode 3 Free Trade

Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Jones Act Traffic Jam

"It's just a very classic case of everything wrong with Washington."

Eric Boehm | 8.17.2023 11:05 AM

Remy In Jones Act Parody of Beastie Boys Sabotage | Reason TV

Remy

Remy: Cabotage (Beastie Boys Jones Act Parody)

What'cha want? Reasonable trade policy.

Remy | 5.12.2023 10:25 AM

Jones Act

Is the Jones Act Unconstitutional?

An argument that the wasteful law violates the Constitution's Port Preference Clause.

Jonathan H. Adler |The Volokh Conspiracy | 4.24.2023 10:07 PM

President Biden calls it his "economic plan." It's industrial policy that will be terrible for both workers and consumers. | imageBROKER/Jim West/Newscom

Biden Administration

Biden's 'Economic Plan' Is Industrial Policy That Will Be Terrible for Workers and Consumers 

The Democratic president is supercharging former president Trump's failed approach to domestic manufacturing.

Peter Suderman | 3.21.2023 12:19 PM

John Stossel is seen in front of a cargo ship | Stossel TV

Free Trade

The Jones Act Is Driving Up Prices and Making Crises Worse

The legislation, which forbids shipping anything between American ports in ships that are not U.S. built and crewed, is just another a special deal that one industry has scammed out of Congress.

John Stossel | 3.1.2023 12:30 AM

topicsregulation | Photo: Thais Morais/Unsplash

Jones Act

Is It 'Treason' To Support Free Trade?

Shipping industry insiders floated a recommendation to charge critics of the Jones Act with treason, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Scott Shackford | 1.12.2023 6:00 AM

Freighter decorated with Puerto Rican flag | DPST/Newscom

Jones Act

This Military Spending Bill Will Make Puerto Rico's Next Hurricane Disaster Even Worse

The maritime industry inserted some protectionism into the National Defense Authorization Act.

Scott Shackford | 12.20.2022 1:45 PM

A tanker ship carrying liquid natural gas overlaid on an orange background | Illustration: Lex Villena; Oleksandr Kalinichenko | Dreamstime.com

Jones Act

To Protect Privileged Shippers From Competition, the Government Fought Jones Act Waivers

That's in addition to advocating for opponents of the law to be charged with treason.

Joe Lancaster | 10.26.2022 2:45 PM

cargo2_1161x653 | Illustration: Lex Villena; Jarenwicklund | Dreamstime.com

Jones Act

Somebody in the Shipping Industry Wants Opponents of the Jones Act Charged with Treason

There’s nothing patriotic about a law lining the pockets of cargo companies at the expense of consumers.

Scott Shackford | 10.19.2022 2:10 PM

Joe Biden standing at a lectern in front of a "Made in America" banner | Adam Schultz/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Jones Act

Biden's New Industrial Policy Will Fail, Just Like Industrial Policy Always Fails

While campaigning for the midterm election, the president is promoting a disastrous and expensive form of economic protectionism.

Peter Suderman | 10.17.2022 3:29 PM

Trailer crushes Mercedes during Hurricane Ian | Robin Loznak/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Hurricanes

Storms and Reforms

Plus: The editors unpack a philosophical question from a listener concerning foreign policy.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Peter Suderman, and C.J. Ciaramella | 10.3.2022 5:30 PM

Home wrecked by Hurricane Fiona | Alejandro Granadillo / GDA Photo Service/Newscom

Puerto Rico

Feds Allow Single Foreign Ship To Deliver Fuel to Hurricane-Ravaged Puerto Rico

It’s only one vessel, but the U.S. domestic shipping cartel, protected by the awful Jones Act, is screaming about it.

Scott Shackford | 9.29.2022 2:15 PM

Freighter with Puerto Rico flag | DPST/Newscom

Puerto Rico

In the Aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, the Jones Act Is Screwing Over Puerto Rico Again

The island is begging the Biden administration to allow foreign ships to bring fuel to help restore power. But entrenched maritime interests balk at competition.

Scott Shackford | 9.27.2022 2:40 PM

Road in Puerto Rico is destroyed by hurricane Fiona | XAVIER GARCIA / GDA Photo Service/Newscom

Puerto Rico

Where Did Puerto Rico's Disaster Relief Go?

After a Category 1 hurricane made landfall Sunday, a million Puerto Rican households are still without power.

Eric Bazail-Eimil | 9.20.2022 12:25 PM

Black and white photo of a crowd at a bar in the early 1900s | Everett Collection/Newscom

Marijuana

The Time Has Come for a Transpartisan 'Repeal' Caucus

First, undo government harm.

Matt Welch | 7.26.2022 5:23 PM

spnphotosten816699 |  Chris Kleponis / Pool via CNP / SplashNews/Newscom

Inflation

Biden (Almost) Admits That His Own Stimulus Spending Stoked Inflation

Biden's three-point plan to tackle inflation is really a one-point plan: Let the Federal Reserve handle this mess.

Eric Boehm | 5.31.2022 1:00 PM

sfphotosfive175235 | CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Newscom

Free Trade

Problems With the Supply Chain Began Before the Pandemic. Here's What Biden Can Do About It.

Protectionist policies stymie trade and make Americans poorer.

Veronique de Rugy | 5.6.2022 7:30 AM

zumaamericasthirtythree933658 | Jill Connelly/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Government Spending

Blame Washington, Not Moscow, for Surging Inflation

Few politicians are willing to admit deficit spending is the larger cause.

Bruce Yandle | 3.11.2022 1:30 PM

sfphotosfive201953 | CNP/AdMedia/SIPA/Newscom

Free Trade

Biden's Protectionist Trade Agenda Will Increase Prices. In Fact, It Already Has.

Biden says reducing prices is his "top priority" but his economic agenda suggests the opposite.

Eric Boehm | 3.2.2022 12:05 PM

shipping_1161x653 | Khwaneigq / Dreamstime.com

State of the Union

Biden Administration Deflects Blame on America's Self-Inflicted Ocean Shipping Problems

Guess whose fault it is that it’s so expensive to ship goods to America? (Spoiler: The U.S. government's.)

Scott Shackford | 3.1.2022 2:10 PM

op-2 | Background Illustration: Lex Villena, Biden Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Pool via CNP/SplashNews/Newscom

Joe Biden

The Biden White House Is Lying About the Democrats' Spending Bill

For Biden, "build back better’" apparently means eyes on everything in the economy.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman | 10.18.2021 4:47 PM

dreamstime_xl_106695879 | Photo 106695879 © Zvonko59 | Dreamstime.com

Inflation

Keeping Warm This Winter Could Be More Costly As Inflation Heats Up

Plus: Psychedelic entrepreneurs, American seafood stuck in Canada, and more...

Eric Boehm | 10.14.2021 9:35 AM

1 | Illustration: Lex Villena; Vadimrysev | Dreamstime.com

Infrastructure

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Shows That Republicans Love Big Government Just as Much as Democrats

We don't have a gridlock problem. We have a spending problem.

Veronique de Rugy | 7.1.2021 9:16 AM

STILL3

Free Trade

Let's Scrap the Jones Act

A hundred-year-old protectionist law that makes traffic worse and goods more expensive.

Andrew Heaton | 6.14.2021 1:59 PM

Buttigieg_1161x653 | Stefani Reynolds - Pool via CNP/CNP / Polaris/Newscom

Jones Act

Biden Administration Affirms Support for Protectionist Jones Act, Throwing Hawaiians, Puerto Ricans to the Sharks

Pandering to maritime unions means higher costs and harsher lives for coastal minority populations.

Scott Shackford | 1.27.2021 1:20 PM

krtphotoslive888244 | John J. Kim/TNS/Newscom

Joe Biden

Biden Tries To Buy Rust Belt Votes With Protectionist 'Buy American' Plan

Biden says he'll oppose attempts to repeal the Jones Act and will push for tighter "Buy American" policies that hike the price of infrastructure projects.

Eric Boehm | 7.13.2020 2:30 PM

topicsregulation | kyletperry/iStock

Regulation

Why Alaskans Can't Get Alaskan Natural Gas 

It's ridiculous to cut off Alaskans from the resources found in their own backyards.

Eric Boehm | 1.28.2020 6:00 AM

dpaphotostwo879304 | Friedemann Kohler/dpa/picture-alliance/Newscom

Jones Act

Stupid Federal Shipping Regulations Will Prevent Alaskans From Buying Alaskan Natural Gas

The Jones Act isn't saving American shipbuilders, but it's driving up prices for Americans.

Eric Boehm | 11.7.2019 11:40 AM

shipping_1161x653 | De Agostini / W. Buss Universal Images Group/Newscom

Jones Act

Paying Too Much for Natural Gas? Thank the Jones Act.

The federal law protecting the shipping industry from competition strikes again.

Scott Shackford | 5.2.2019 11:50 AM

Large image on homepages | Glowimages Glow Images/Newscom

Jones Act

The Jones Act Is an Antiquated, Protectionist Policy Failure. Mike Lee Is Aiming to Kill It.

The Utah senator wants a world where "Alaskans, Hawaiians, and Puerto Ricans aren't forced to pay higher prices for imported goods."

Eric Boehm | 3.8.2019 3:15 PM

Large image on homepages | Andrew Parsons/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Jones Act

Shipping Magnates and Friendly Lawmakers Air-Kiss over Loathsome Law that Torments Poor Hawaiians, Puerto Ricans

The Jones Act drives up consumer prices by protecting U.S. companies from competition. Guess who insists it must be kept intact?

Scott Shackford | 1.23.2018 12:20 PM

Large image on homepages

Puerto Rico

Why the Lights Are Still Off in Puerto Rico

The government set the stage for a post-hurricane catastrophe.

Andrew Heaton and Sarah Siskind | 10.19.2017 4:00 PM

Large image on homepages | Loren Elliott/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Jones Act

Puerto Rico's Hurricane Recovery Just Got Even More Expensive

DHS ends waiver of protectionist shipping law that drives up costs.

Scott Shackford | 10.9.2017 3:55 PM

Large image on homepages | Ingram Publishing/Newscom

Hurricanes

Trump Waives Jones Act for Puerto Rico for 10 Days. That's Good, but It's Not Enough.

Congress needs to vote to stop protecting shipping cartel from market competition.

Scott Shackford | 9.28.2017 11:10 AM

Large image on homepages | Carl Juste/TNS/Newscom

Hurricanes

Federal Relief to Puerto Rico Won't Include Waiving Law That Drives up Import Costs

Administration says it will not reduce effects of the anti-free-trade Jones Act.

Scott Shackford | 9.26.2017 3:15 PM

Large image on homepages | Carol Guzy/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Hurricanes

Hey, Congress: If You Really Want to Help Puerto Rico Recover, Dump the Jones Act

Crony law benefitting U.S. shipping companies will drive up costs, extend hurricane crisis.

Scott Shackford | 9.25.2017 2:35 PM

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