Odd Lots The Great Jones Act Debate
32 snips
Mar 20, 2025 
Colin Grabow, Associate Director at the Cato Institute, and Sara Fuentes, VP for Government Affairs at the Transportation Institute, engage in a spirited debate over the Jones Act. Grabow argues that the Act inhibits U.S. growth by increasing shipping costs, while Fuentes defends it as crucial for national security and American jobs. They discuss the historical context and implications for maritime commerce, energy policy, and potential fallout from repealing the law, leaving listeners to ponder the balance between job security and transportation efficiency.
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High Domestic Shipping Costs
- A Connecticut state senator testified that domestic shipping was 5-10 times pricier than international.
- He recounted his experience working in bulk shipping.
Oil Export-Import Paradox
- Oil is often exported and then imported due to Jones Act shipping costs.
- East Coast refineries import from Nigeria and Saudi Arabia rather than Texas.
New England Energy Issues
- New England faces high gas prices due to energy policy issues, not solely the Jones Act.
- They lack pipelines, storage, and rely on erratic spot market purchases.