ARLINGTON, VA— In case you missed it, Freight Waves reported on Americans for Prosperity’s six-figure digital advocacy campaign urging Congress to permanently repeal the Jones Act, a century-old maritime law unnecessarily increases the cost of fuel, food, and energy for American households. The initiative combines targeted online advertising with a nationwide grassroots effort, enabling citizens to easily contact their Members of Congress and call for relief from these added costs.
From Freight Waves:
Americans for Prosperity, the flagship advocacy organization backed by conservative industrialist Charles Koch, said it plans a six-figure digital ad campaign urging Congress to permanently repeal the Jones Act.
The century-old law requires ships carrying cargo between American ports to be U.S.-built, owned, crewed and flagged.
President Donald Trump in March temporarily suspended the Jones Act for 60 days over concerns that the Iran war could result in price-gouging and shortages of fuel, fertilizer, and other vital commodities. The waiver, extended to 90 days, permits foreign-flag ships to operate in commerce between U.S. destinations, such as carrying fuel from the Gulf to eastern markets.
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The century-old shipping mandate continues to needlessly drive up the cost of fuel, food, and energy for American families,” the org said in a release. The campaign pairs targeted digital advertising with a nationwide citizens’ effort writing letters to Congress to demand relief.
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“For more than a century, Washington has forced families to pay a hidden tax every time goods move between our own ports, and it is way past time to put an end to this failed regulation that has decimated the industry it was intended to help,” said AFP Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner, in a release. “You cannot claim to care about the cost of living while defending a law you have to suspend every time families need relief. Our message is simple: with a single vote, Congress can lower costs for every household in the country. It’s time to repeal the Jones Act.”
The campaign of digital ads and grassroots efforts is focused on key states and districts, in particular members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, “as well as senators who campaign on lowering costs for working families. The goal is to build support for permanent repeal.”
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Through broad-based grassroots outreach, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is driving long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems. AFP activists engage friends and neighbors on key issues and encourage them to take an active role in building a culture of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping one another. AFP recruits and unites activists in all 50 states behind a common goal of advancing policies that will help people improve their lives. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org
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