Thread by @cpgrabow

Many people recognize that the Jones Act is a very bad law that inflicts considerable harm on the US. So why is it so impervious to change? Let's take a deep dive, starting with an overview and then getting into the nitty-gritty of JA influence ops. (warning: *very* long 🧵)

Fundamentally, the Jones Act's persistence is the product of diffused costs and concentrated benefits. The relatively few Americans who reap its benefits are highly incentivized to maintain it, while most don't know it exists. This Hill veteran nicely summed it up:

Even smart, well-informed @Jeopardy contestants don't know about it!

One former congressman explained it to me like this (paraphrasing): "I was elected at 30 years old. After taking office, this group of union reps came to talk to me about a law called the Jones Act, which I was unfamiliar with. They explained that it just means you have to use American-flagged vessels, with American crews, and built in the United States when transporting goods domestically. ‘We think it's a pretty great law and would appreciate your support for it. By the way, here's a check for your campaign.’" They also endorsed him — getting the backing of organized labor was not typical for a Republican — and helped get the vote out on election day. Pretty attractive!

@Jeopardy Meanwhile, if you oppose the JA, those same resources will be turned against you. And the payoff is usually just the knowledge that you're doing the right thing. Almost all the $$/votes are on the other side of the issue. The path of least resistance is to support the JA.

@Jeopardy But exactly who are these concentrated beneficiaries of JA largesse? Let's go through them. First up is @AMPmaritime, which is the leading pro-JA advocacy org and an umbrella group for various pro-JA interests. Defending the JA is literally the only reason this group exists.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime And there are others. There's @ShipbuildersUSA (US build requirement) as well as vessel operator groups such as @AWOAdvocacy (tugs/barges), @lcaships (Great Lakes), @OMSAmaritime (mostly supplying offshore oil rigs/platforms), and @DredgingUSA1906 (dredges).

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 Then there's the unions: @SeafarersUnion, @MEBAUNION, @MMP_Union, the American Maritime Officers Union, and even @ilwulongshore. Oh, and don't forget the @AFLCIO. All support the JA and lobby for it.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO On top of that, you have other miscellaneous groups that lobby/advocate for the JA such as @FloridaMaritim1, the Wisconsin Domestic Maritime Coalition (WIDMAC), @GLMaritimeTF, and @Trans_Inst.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst Beyond these groups, there are the individual companies that have an interest in seeing the JA maintained and act accordingly. Examples: @CrowleyMaritime, @TOTE_Maritime, @GDNASSCO, Saltchuk, and @BollingerShip.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip So how do these groups/companies cultivate support for the JA? Well, they create and donate to PACs: drive.google.com/file/d/1G-agTS…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip Of course, they also spend money on lobbying and campaign contributions. Last year, four Jones Act companies — Matson, Bollinger Shipyards, Saltchuk, and Crowley — spent over $3 million on these two items.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip Heck, the very pro-JA chairman and CEO of @HarveyGulf, which operates JA vessels, has been described as "possibly the biggest GOP donor in Louisiana": web.archive.org/web/2024080418…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf He has also bankrolled a vessel called the JONES ACT ENFORCER that is meant to catch JA scofflaws (not sure it has had any success). He is said to view the vessel as a "good investment" from a business perspective. newbedfordlight.org/enforcer-patro…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf And beyond companies and individuals, the organizations that I previously mentioned also employ lobbyists. @AMPmaritime, for example, employs @KLGates as their lobbyist. In fact, AMP and K&L Gates have the same address – 1601 K St. NW.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates Providing counsel to AMP is former Hill staffer Mark Ruge: klgates.com/Mark-H-Ruge, Ruge is (or at least until 2021 was) president of the Wisconsin Domestic Maritime Coalition (WIDMAC) that I mentioned earlier. His name will come up again in this thread.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates There are also pro-JA public relations efforts. Last year, @AMPmaritime paid $520K to PR/communications firm @NahigianComm (also note the $1.2m to @KLGates). Nahigian owns @BigWhigMedia, which hosts AMP's podcast, and I'm pretty sure they run AMP's social media accounts as well.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia It's not just all about $$, PR, and lobbyists, though. There are also meetings with members of Congress and their staff to extoll the JA’s virtues. @AWOAdvocacy, for example, has an annual Capitol Hill "barge in" while @OMSAmaritime has a crawfish boil for Hill folks.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia JA advocates also like to give out awards. Lots and lots of awards:

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia They might even name a ship after you!

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia So far, this is all pretty 101 stuff: dispersed costs/concentrated benefits, rational voter ignorance, and various initiatives to engage/curry favor with legislators. But we've only scratched the surface. Efforts to promote the JA go far beyond the halls of power.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia In addition to legislators, pro-JA groups also try to make nice with the US military. @AMPmaritime, for example, is a corporate gold sponsor of @NavyLeagueUS and gives sufficiently to @AUSAorg that they have their own webpage: ausa.org/sponsors/ameri…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg The chairman of @CoastGuardFound, meanwhile, is the former head of pro-JA lobbying group @AWOAdvocacy: coastguardfoundation.org/news/coast-gua…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound There's also an effort to use DC think tanks as a vector for pro-JA sentiment. Last year, for example, @HudsonInstitute released a report titled: "Staying Afloat: Why America Needs the Jones Act to Compete with China and What to Do Next" s3.amazonaws.com/media.hudson.o…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute Two noteworthy things here:

1. The author's last position prior to arriving at Hudson was head of @AMPmaritime: crowley.com/news-and-media…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute 2. The report was released under the auspices of the American Maritime Security Initiative, a project co-launched by Hudson and @CMS_Washington whose past and present sponsors include @AMPmaritime as well as JA carriers @CrowleyMaritime, @TOTE_Maritime, and Pasha Hawaii.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington For those unfamiliar with @CMS_Washington, it was founded in 2022 by the pro-JA @NavyLeagueUS, its sponsors include the pro-JA @Trans_Inst, and its non-resident experts include former @AMPmaritime president Mike Roberts and former JA shipping CEO (and Cato critic) John McCown.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington Have to think it’s pretty great as a lobbyist when pro-JA folks are perched at think tanks and you can then cite their work about how wonderful the law is:

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington What's truly bonkers about pro-JA advocacy, however, is that some of it includes US government agencies. Here, for example, is @US_TRANSCOM approvingly retweeting Jones Act lobbyists @AMPmaritime:

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM Here's @DOTMARAD doing the same thing. For what other laws/industries does this happen?!

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD This tweet is indistinguishable from what's peddled by JA advocacy groups. Indeed, the 650,000 jobs number — is that a government stat? No, it's from a report commissioned by a JA advocacy group that the group has never made public: transportationinstitute.org/u-s-maritime-w…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD In a way, this doesn't surprise. @DOTMARAD falls under @USDOT, whose secretaries are usually asked during confirmation hearings about their fealty to the JA: seafarers.org/president-bide…, americanmaritimepartnership.com/general/amp-su…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT Here, meanwhile, is JA propaganda from @CBPGulfCoast:

Beyond cultivating support for the law, JA defenders and their congressional supporters also work to quash dissent. Here, for example, is a letter from senior members of Congress urging the removal of @CRS4Congress reports from circulation deemed too critical of the JA: drive.google.com/file/d/1529Ku2…

And here's a letter from (now former) Rep. Duncan Hunter to a 🇵🇷 govt agency that criticizes its call for a JA exemption, highlights a @AMPmaritime "study" claiming no JA cost to PR, and warns that other recommendations may be ignored by Congress if the call for a JA exemption remains: drive.google.com/file/d/1FlCY5c…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress At this point (god bless if you're still reading), some people might be thinking, "OK, but what about industries hurt by the law or those living in shipping-dependent places like Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico? Aren’t they incentivized to mount a challenge?"

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress One problem is that companies that speak out (e.g. @BeefUSA, @NPGAPropane) do so quietly and without the same lobbying heft as pro-JA groups. drive.google.com/file/d/1dWEJJm…, npga.org/wp-content/upl…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane What also has tremendous explanatory power is what (paraphrasing) one industry rep told me: "Look, I hate the JA. Costs us a lot of money. But on my top 10 list of issues, it's maybe #4 or #5. For issues #1-3, I need the help of senators who support the JA."

Many such examples.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane But let's look more specifically at the non-contiguous states and territories. Of the four senators representing AK and HI, all are pro-JA. Of the five House members from AK, HI, Guam, and PR, 3 are anti-JA, one is pro, and one is (thus far) silent. Why so mixed?

Part of it is because JA defenders have established themselves among possible sources of JA opposition. @cochawaii, for example, is silent on the issue. Coincidentally, Matson is on the acting board of directors and a member of the group's "investors circle." cochawaii.org/about-us/board…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii Similarly, @alaskachamber's board features @TOTE_Maritime, Samson Tug & Barge, @tridentseafoods (operate two JA cargo ships and a number of fishing vessels), @LyndenInc (barges), and @conocophillips (Polar Tanker subsidiary operates JA tankers): business.alaskachamber.com/board

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips The Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association, meanwhile, as of 2024 featured representatives from both @TOTE_Maritime and @CrowleyMaritime: web.archive.org/web/2024042114… Crowley, however, appears to have since left the board: members.industrialespr.org/board-of-direc….

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips Beyond the business community, there are also efforts aimed at the residents of these places. Here's a website (dedicadosapuertorico.pr) and YouTube page (youtube.com/@dedicatedtopu…) filled with slick videos trying to convince Puerto Ricans that the JA is good for them. Example:

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips And there are charitable campaigns, too. Matson, for example, runs environmental clean-up efforts in Alaska (matson.com/caringforalaska), Hawaii (matson.com/community/hawa…), and Guam (matson.com/community/guam…). @CrowleyMaritime runs a charitable program, as does @TOTE_Maritime.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips Don't think there isn't a pro-JA angle to this. I say this because I took part in a JA debate in Puerto Rico two years ago, and the *lead argument* from one of the pro-JA speakers was how JA companies give books to kids and offer free equipment transport for school sports teams.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips JA shipping companies also employ lobbyists at the state level. @RepEdCase’s comments about his days in the Hawaii state legislature seem to speak to their effectiveness:

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase Also worth noting that Jones Act-supporting unions are apparently running a protection racket with regard to Hawaii ports, which may have some explanatory power for the law's support among state politicians: hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/06/07/pan…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase And here are some lobbyists in Alaska employed by pro-JA companies:

OK, let's start wrapping this up with a story that captures the overall dynamic. Back in 2019, rumblings started to emerge that the Trump administration was considering a JA waiver for LNG shipments. This was because there weren’t (still aren't) any US-built, US-flagged ships to transport it, forcing Puerto Rico and New England to turn to imported supplies.

This prompted @ElaineChao and @DOTMARAD to swing into action. Here's an email from MARAD #2 Richard Balzano to Mark Ruge of @KLGates (told you he'd reappear in the thread) requesting feedback on pro-JA talking points regarding LNG for "S1" — the Secretary of Transportation. drive.google.com/file/d/1khAr1q…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase @ElaineChao In April, President Trump's economic advisers urged him to waive the JA: bloomberg.com/news/articles/… In his book "The Drift" (I'm in 🇪🇸 and don't have my copy, so take my word for it), Kevin Hassett says Chao urged Trump to hear from pro-JA folks before deciding. He agreed.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase @ElaineChao The next week, six senators and @SteveScaliseGOP went to the White House and urged Trump not to waive the law. There was no countervailing group telling him to ignore them, and he backed off: bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase @ElaineChao @SteveScaliseGOP The next month, @AMPmaritime announced the start of a new campaign to honor maritime heroes. The first two honorees: @ElaineChao and the mariners of WWII. Apparently, helping thwart a JA waiver merits the same recognition as wartime service. americanmaritimepartnership.com/press-releases…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase @ElaineChao @SteveScaliseGOP Let's also note among those imploring Trump not to issue the waiver were @SenDanSullivan and @lisamurkowski of Alaska. That's interesting because Alaskans despise the JA so much that in a 1984 referendum they amended state law to call for its repeal.

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase @ElaineChao @SteveScaliseGOP @SenDanSullivan @lisamurkowski The senators' motivations are known only to them. But something we do know is that Sullivan later bragged to some union folks about his role in getting the JA waiver rejected: sailors.org/sites/default/…

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase @ElaineChao @SteveScaliseGOP @SenDanSullivan @lisamurkowski We also know that Sullivan lists several maritime unions on his endorsements webpage: dansullivanforalaska.com/endorsements/

@Jeopardy @AMPmaritime @ShipbuildersUSA @AWOAdvocacy @lcaships @OMSAmaritime @DredgingUSA1906 @SeafarersUnion @MEBAUNION @MMP_Union @ilwulongshore @AFLCIO @FloridaMaritim1 @GLMaritimeTF @Trans_Inst @CrowleyMaritime @TOTE_Maritime @GDNASSCO @BollingerShip @HarveyGulf @KLGates @NahigianComm @BigWhigMedia @NavyLeagueUS @AUSAorg @CoastGuardFound @HudsonInstitute @CMS_Washington @US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @USDOT @CBPGulfCoast @CRS4Congress @BeefUSA @NPGAPropane @cochawaii @alaskachamber @tridentseafoods @LyndenInc @conocophillips @RepEdCase @ElaineChao @SteveScaliseGOP @SenDanSullivan @lisamurkowski Speaking of unions and Alaska, meanwhile, here is (now former) Rep. @MaryPeltola admitting that the law hurts ("creates challenges") for the state, but that she supports it anyway because unions (i.e. special interests) like it.

And that, folks, is why the Jones Act is still around and why reforming it (nevermind repeal) is so difficult. It hurts lots of people but helps key, well-connected groups. And of course it's not just the JA. If you see a dumb/failed law and wonder why it still stays on the books, rest assured that some variation of the dynamics described in this thread is at play.

Good point here — Hawaii is the most unionized state in the country (AK is #3) and Hawaii is a very Democratic state. Really helps to have union backing in a primary: