The Jones Act Swindle
Cronyism’s $1.8 Billion Tax on You and Me
President Trump’s second-term energy policy focus is slashing costs and undoing Biden’s climate regulations, making now the perfect time to take a hard look at the Jones Act—a 1920s law that needlessly hikes prices for everyday Americans. This outdated law forces ships carrying goods between U.S. ports to be American-built, -owned, -flagged, and -crewed, inflating shipping costs and driving up prices for gas, groceries, and more. It’s a protectionist relic that burdens consumers while politicians prop it up to appease maritime unions and shipyard interests, not to help taxpayers. A 2024 Mercatus Center study estimates repealing the Jones Act could cut East Coast gasoline prices by up to 63 cents per gallon. Let’s scrap this costly scam and stop forcing Americans to overpay.
If we can’t fully repeal the Jones Act, we should at minimum, eliminate its mandate that ships must be U.S.-built. A 2020 Cato Institute analysis reveals American shipyards charge four to five times more than foreign ones, leaving us with fewer ships and absurdly high shipping rates. Waivers during crises like hurricanes or pandemics, prove this requirement’s futility—when foreign ships are allowed, goods flow faster and cheaper, Dropping the U.S.-build mandate for commercial ships while keeping it for military ones balances national security with economic sense, potentially saving billions without slashing maritime jobs. This practical fix shows we don’t need this law punishing consumers.
Jones Act defenders claim it protects 40,000–80,000 maritime jobs. That’s hardly likely, but even if it were true, that’s a weak excuse when studies estimate it costs consumers $1–2 billion annually. Eliminating or modifying the Jones Act would likely create far more jobs than it cuts, as increased shipping would boost demand for U.S. crews and port workers. Just removing the U.S.-build requirement would spark a surge in ships needing American crews, fueling job growth while keeping U.S. ownership. This government meddling fattens union wallets while consumers pay more at the pump. As Trump pushes for cheaper energy, reforming the Jones Act is a no-brainer. Let's stop letting this law rob Americans blind.