President Donald J. Trump
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
National Taxpayers Union (NTU) commends you for waiving the Jones Act to mitigate supply disruptions as Operation Epic Fury continues. Taxpayers deeply appreciate your leadership in ensuring that America’s economy remains the strongest in the world.
Your action facilitated the transportation of oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and other essential resources that Americans rely on. The Maritime Administration reports that shippers have utilized your initial waiver to ship goods including gasoline, anhydrous ammonia, and ethanol within the United States. The forethought behind your decision is paying great dividends for millions of families across our country.
NTU encourages you to give additional forethought now toward extending this beneficial waiver, which is scheduled to end on May 17. Announcing your intent to extend the waiver before that date would make it easier for shippers and suppliers to plan for the future and minimize any additional supply disruptions.
We also encourage you to work with Congress to pursue permanent reforms, including legislation such as the Protecting Access to American Products Act, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), and the Open America’s Waters Act, introduced by Sen. Lee and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA). The Protecting Access to American Products Act would promote American energy dominance by streamlining the Jones Act waiver process. The Open America’s Waters Act would repeal Jones Act restrictions on coastwise trade.
You have NTU’s ongoing, vigorous, and vocal support for your decision to waive the Jones Act. Extending this waiver and promoting long-term reforms would help America respond to potential supply interruptions or price increases resulting from the Middle East as well as future emergencies.
We are most grateful for your consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
Pete Sepp
President, National Taxpayers Union