1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

Petition to Support the Jones Act and End Routine Waivers for Foreign-Flagged Vessels We, the undersigned American citizens, call on our Members of Congress and the President to fully uphold the Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) and immediately stop issuing waivers that allow foreign-flagged and foreign-crewed vessels to carry America’s vital domestic cargos. The Jones Act requires that cargo moved by water between U.S. ports be transported on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed. This law is a cornerstone of national security. It maintains a skilled American merchant marine and domestic shipbuilding base that can be rapidly mobilized to support military sealift, protect critical supply chains, and reduce reliance on foreign shipping that may be unavailable or controlled by adversaries in a crisis. Waivers that bypass American-flagged vessels undermine this readiness, erode the U.S. maritime industry, and put national security at risk. Routine or non-emergency waivers should be prohibited. The United States must preserve its ability to move its own strategic cargoes with its own ships and crews. We urge Congress to strengthen enforcement of the Jones Act, limit waivers to genuine national emergencies only, and reaffirm America’s commitment to a strong, secure domestic maritime industry.