Senate Committee Urges Stepped Up Jones Act Enforcement

On June 26, 2014, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations issued its report accompanying the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2015, in which it urged stepped up Jones Act enforcement. In particular, the report urges the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “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.” The Committee also directed DHS to make information available to the Committee and the public on a regular basis regarding Jones Act violations.