The Middle East war has focused attention on the “Jones Act,” a U.S. maritime policy law. Waiving the law allegedly will help with the price of gasoline in the United States, even though the current law narrowly circumscribes the bases and duration of any waiver. Putting the efficacy and practicality of a waiver aside, it might be helpful to get some facts straight about the Jones Act. 

Jones Act waiver possibilities appear in the news pretty much every time there is a spike in the price of fuel in the United States. Sure enough, there are reports that the Trump Administration is considering waiving the Jones Act in connection with the Middle East war.