Jones Act reform is long overdue, and NEFI and its partners are making that case directly to Congressional leadership. NEFI has also created a platform where members of the industry can add their voice by writing to their representatives.

The Jones Act, passed as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on ships that are U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned, and crewed by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Of nearly 7,500 oil tankers operating worldwide, only 54 qualify to carry petroleum between American ports. Jones Act shipping costs approximately three times more than equivalent foreign-flag service, a premium paid every day by American families on their heating bills, at the grocery store, and at the pump.

The federal government has been forced to waive this law after hurricanes, pipeline disruptions, and now during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A law that must be suspended every time the nation faces economic stress is a law in need of permanent reform.

NEFI has joined a coalition of 13 other national associations representing energy, agriculture, and consumer supply chains to call for reform and modernization of the Jones Act. The historic breadth of this coalition sends an unmistakable message: this law, as written, is not working for the American economy. It is time to put this issue front and center and take an earnest approach to reform.

This letter has been sent to Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, with copies to the Senate Commerce Committee, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the White House Domestic Policy Council.

Our coalition is calling on Congress to hold hearings on the supply chain, consumer, and energy reliability implications of the Jones Act; reform the law's domestic-build mandate; explore permanent exemptions for critical commodities including energy products and agricultural inputs; and evaluate the Open America's Waters Act (H.R. 3940 / S. 2043) and related reform proposals.

The following organizations have signed the letter:

The waiver expires May 17, and we must act while momentum is on our side. Your lawmakers need to hear from the businesses and families this law affects every day. Use our campaign to send a message directly to Congress. The time to act is now.

NEFI will continue to advocate for a permanent reform to the Jones Act and will provide its members with updates as needed. For more information, contact NEFI Manager of Government Affairs, Liam Dotson, at liam.dotson@nefi.com.