Congressional Report Seeks Heightened U.S. Gulf of Mexico Jones Act Enforcement

On May 22, 2012, the Senate Committee on Appropriations reported the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2013. The report includes a section seeking heightened enforcement of the Jones Act in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The Jones Act requires the use of qualified U.S.-flag vessels to transport merchandise or passengers between points in the United States. The report states that, “the Committee urges the Department to levy penalties for previously documented violations, continue working with the Offshore Marine Service Association in order to investigate future potential violations, and dedicate adequate resources to vigorously enforce the Jones Act on the Outer Continental Shelf.”

View the report here.