CT HR00009

Connecticut General Assembly calls upon Congress to exempt Puerto Rico from the Jones Act (Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920), which requires vessels transporting cargo between U.S. ports to be U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and predominantly U.S.-crewed

The Jones Act costs Puerto Rico approximately $1.4 billion per year due to higher shipping costs that increase prices for imports and exports and raise the cost of living

Other U.S. territories including the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands are already exempt from the Jones Act

The resolution directs the clerk of the House of Representatives to send copies to each member of Connecticut's congressional delegation

Co-sponsored by Representatives Rosario (128th), Hughes (135th), Reyes (75th), and Sanchez (6th District)