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.
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.
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.
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.
Former Puerto Rico Governor Latest Official Arrested in DOJ Corruption Crackdown
Wanda Vázquez, the latest in a string of Puerto Rican officials to face criminal corruption charges, is accused of bribery and mail fraud charges during her failed 2020 reelection campaign.
The Easy Way To Avoid Federal Income Tax: Move to Puerto Rico
Wherever markets are free, new wealth gets created. Then almost everyone wins.
Justice Gorsuch Calls for Overruling the Insular Cases
In a forceful concurring opinion, he argues the Supreme Court should overrule longstanding precedents denying many constitutional rights to residents of Puerto Rico and other "unincorporated" US territories. Gorsuch is absolutely right. But he would do well to cast the same critical gaze on the very similar precedents that exempt immigration restrictions from normal constitutional scrutiny.
The Perverse Incentives of Puerto Rico's Debt Deal
Habitual debt busts are one Latin American export that is better left on the dock.
Puerto Ricans Flocking To Florida Are Escaping Big Government
More Puerto Ricans live in the 50 states than on the island, and it’s not hard to see why.
Biden Chooses Cronyism Over Letting Puerto Rico Rebuild
The Jones Act shields the American shipping industry from foreign competition and harms both the environment and disadvantaged communities.
The Election Could Be Chaotic. Why Is Trump Trying To Make It Worse?
America's general election is facing both logistical and political hurdles, creating a feedback loop that threatens to derail the legitimacy of the results.
Puerto Rico No Longer Forced To 'Buy American' for Much-Needed Masks
Puerto Rico is temporarily free from Buy American restrictions on crucial protective medical gear thanks to FEMA.
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.
Mass Protests Force the Resignation of Puerto Rico's Scandal-Plagued Governor
The island's residents have had enough of a territorial government tainted by corruption and that is seemingly contemptuous of their daily struggles.
As Tropical Storm Barry Approaches, the GAO Highlights FEMA's Past Failings
Unclear and contradictory procedure guidelines slowed down relief efforts in Puerto Rico in 2017. Will it happen again this year? Probably.
Congress Bickers Over Spending $13 or $14 Billion on Disaster Relief. They Should Spend Closer to $0.
The squabbling over federal disaster assistance reveals the bipartisan nature of wasteful spending.
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."
The Invalidation of the PROMESA Appointments
A few thoughts on the First Circuit's separation of powers ruling on the Puerto Rico bankruptcy board
Report: 38 Percent of FEMA Employees Aren't 'Qualified' for Their Jobs
At the height of the agency's deployments in the summer of 2017, 54 percent of staff were serving in a capacity for which they were not fully qualified.
Trouble in Paradise
Naomi Klein misses the meaning of "the miracles Puerto Ricans have been quietly pulling off while their government fails them."
President Trump's Personal Feelings Could Stand Between Puerto Rico and Statehood
Puerto Ricans are considered U.S. citizens, but many in the country argue that they lack adequate representation.
Could Puerto Rico Be the Solution to Our Latest Immigration Fight?
The island's population has fallen dramatically even as Spanish speakers from other nations are desperate for a new home.
Study: Puerto Rico's Post-Hurricane Maria Death Rate At Least 70 Times Higher Than Official Figures
Disasters result from policies adopted and choices made before and after a natural hazard strikes.
Displaced by Hurricane Maria, Fully Trained Massage Therapists Can't Work Because They Lack Licenses
Blocked from jobs because they lack occupational licenses, they're turning to welfare instead.
When Governments Suspend Their Own Rules
Special economic zones can be anything from tools of crony capitalism to seeds of a freer world order.
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?
The Whitefish Contract Is a Natural Consequence of FEMA's Mismanagement
Free money and poor oversight sap the incentive of localities to prepare for disasters or respond to them effectively.
Why the Lights Are Still Off in Puerto Rico
The government set the stage for a post-hurricane catastrophe.
Stossel: Hurricane Reconstruction
Is rebuilding after disasters the government's responsibility?
Puerto Rico's Hurricane Recovery Just Got Even More Expensive
DHS ends waiver of protectionist shipping law that drives up costs.
How to Stop Post-Tragedy Panic Syndrome: Podcast
Reason's Nick Gillespie, Katherine Mangu-Ward, and Matt Welch on the Las Vegas shooting, Trump's Twitter rage at Puerto Rico, and the Jones Act.
Puerto Rico Responds to Disaster Stupidly by Banning Alcohol Sales
Governor's decree makes recovery even harder for bar owners.
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.
Jones Act Protectionism Is Why Tax Reform Is Probably Doomed to Fail (UPDATE: It's Waived!)
If you can't change a single lousy law in the face of humanitarian crisis, how are you going to take on the tax code's thousands of special-interest blocs?
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.
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.
The Federal Government Ruined Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican statehood is an opportunity to redefine American federalism.
Puerto Ricans Choose Statehood, But They Need to Choose Capitalism, Too
Free market principles are more important to Puerto Rico than becoming the 51st state.
Bankruptcy and the Case for Puerto Rico's Independence
The island commonwealth and the U.S. would benefit from giving each other more space and more freedom.
Puerto Rico Has Become America's Version of Greece
Debt relief and privatization are the only ways to fix its fiscal mess.
Who Would Bankrupt America First, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump?
Lessons from Puerto Rico.
It's Not Hedge Funds That Caused Puerto Rico to Fail to Manage Its Debts
Those who call for aid shouldn't ignore where the territory's money actually went.
