'For decades, U.S. merchant mariners have provided essential support for the U.S. Navy during times of war and national crisis,' the Navy said. 'Repealing the Jones Act would remove that support at a time when we are fighting two wars and facing a continuing threat from international terrorism.'
The statement comes within days of comments from Daniel B. Branch Jr., president of the Navy League of the United States, highlighting the importance of a “strong commercial maritime industry” to a “maritime nation (like) the United States.'
'As a maritime nation, the United States depends not only on a strong Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, it also requires a strong commercial maritime industry,' Branch said. 'The Jones Act must be maintained so that the more than 8,000 U.S. citizen mariners can continue to provide the economic and military support that is critical to our national interests.'
The Navy's support for the Jones Act is not new. In previous Congresses, the Navy opposed Jones Act repeal legislation, noting that such legislation “adversely impacts” the military need for a strong cadre of American ships, citizen mariners, and “maritime industrial base of shipyard and repair facilities.”
The Maritime Cabatoge Task Force, an industry group formed in 1995 to represent Jones Act interests nationwide, applauded the announcement.
'The U.S. Navy and the Navy League both understand that maintaining longstanding U.S. maritime law boosts our economy and helps protect our homeland,' said Mark Ruge, counsel to the MCTF. 'In a time of economic uncertainty and threats to our nation, the Jones Act provides a U.S. merchant marine that promotes efficient trade and supports U.S. military and humanitarian efforts throughout the world.' ' Chris Gillis
