Tell It to Congress

Defend the Jones Act

Oppose blanket waivers that replace American mariners with foreign crews and undercut the U.S.-flag fleet.

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Protect American Maritime Jobs. Oppose Jones Act Waivers

Dear [Representative/Senator], As a licensed marine officer and member of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, I urge you to oppose any blanket waiver of the Jones Act. The Jones Act ensures that cargo moved between U.S. ports is carried on American-built, American-crewed, American-flagged vessels. It sustains over 650,000 American jobs and is a cornerstone of our national defense sealift capability. The recent blanket waivers have put foreign crews on routes that American mariners have safely operated for decades. This is not a cost-saving measure. It is a transfer of American jobs to foreign-flag operators who pay lower wages, maintain lower safety standards, and contribute nothing to our tax base. I ask you to stand with American mariners and oppose any extension or expansion of Jones Act waivers. Respectfully, [Your Name]

Fund the MSP

Maintain full Maritime Security Program funding in the defense authorization and appropriations bills.

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Support Full Funding for the Maritime Security Program

Dear [Representative/Senator], As a licensed marine officer and member of the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, I urge you to support full funding for the Maritime Security Program in this year's defense authorization and appropriations bills. The MSP keeps a fleet of militarily useful, privately owned U.S.-flag vessels and their American crews on call for the Department of Defense. Since 2009, MSP-enrolled ships have carried 99 percent of the sustainment cargo supporting U.S. military operations overseas. Replicating the vessel capacity the program provides would cost the government an estimated $13 billion, and replicating the global logistics networks behind it another $52 billion. Full funding for the MSP is a bargain by comparison, and failure to fund it would leave our troops dependent on foreign ships and foreign crews. I ask you to support full MSP funding at the authorized level. Respectfully, [Your Name]