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Article snippet: It wasn’t long after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico that attention turned to a century-old shipping law. A group of lawmakers urged the Trump administration to suspend the law, known as the Jones Act, for one year to expand access to oil, food and other supplies. The administration granted a 10-day waiver but declined to renew it, arguing that it wasn’t necessary for humanitarian relief. Now, more than a month after the hurricane hit, access to water, electricity and reliable cell phone service in Puerto Rico remains scarce, and many have yet to return to school and work. Puerto Rican officials have called for an extension of the waiver, arguing that they need whatever help they can get. But the continuing debate has also raised a broader question: Is it time to repeal the Jones Act? Those in the shipping industry say the law protects domestic shipping and jobs. Opponents on the left and right say it unfairly burdens Americans in Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii and elsewhere with higher costs for shipped goods. Here’s a brief guide to the debate. Officially called the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Jones Act requires goods shipped within the United States to be carried on vessels owned, operated and built by Americans. It was passed for two reasons: to support the domestic maritime industry and to ensure that the government had American ships and personnel to mobilize in case of emergency or war. Broadly speaking, it is a protectionist policy that limits fo... Link to the full article to read more