NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito joins pols from across the U.S. in writing Trump to push for more aid for Puerto Rico

DAILY NEWS, 10.03.2017

The following letter was spearheaded by New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito's, a native of Puerto Rico, and signed by 65-elected officials from around the country.  We call on President Trump's Administration -

 "...that the Federal Government act immediately to deploy additional resources to the islands, lengthen the Jones Act suspension period, and expand the “local match” waiver for FEMA funds..."

"...do everything humanly possible to reach every corner of Puerto Rico and the USVI with food and supplies, as we also grapple with the desperately needed restoration of power to the island. The lives of 3.5 million U.S. citizens are hanging in the balance."

NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito also stated,

“There is this view that, somehow, we don’t merit that level of concern or attention or respect from this government,” said Melissa Mark-Viverito, the speaker of the New York City Council, comparing the response in Puerto Rico with areas struck by recent hurricanes in Florida and Texas. “Somehow, we’re a burden and we’re mooching. That’s the kind of language this president is throwing around.”

On Sunday October 8th the 10-day waiver of the Jones Act expired.

REF:

Speaker Mark-Viverito, Elected Officials Across the Nation Demand President Trump, Federal Government Deploy Additional Resources, Extend the Jones Suspension Period for the Humanitarian Crisis in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, NYC City Council, 10/4/2017.

Melissa Mark-Viverito joins pols from across the U.S. in writing Trump to push for more aid for Puerto Rico, DAILY NEWS, 10.03.2017

Trump Letter (Joint Letterhead) by Brian Cummins on Scribd



IN THE NEWS

Lawmakers seek Puerto Rico exemption to law that slowed aid
The Washington Times/Associated Press 10.09.2017

Trump should continue to waive the Jones Act: Puerto Rican Governor, Fox Business, 10.09.2017.



Trump faces decision on new Jones Act waiver for Puerto Rico
The Hill, 10.06.2017

DHS Will Allow Puerto Rico Jones Act Waiver to ExpireThe Maritime Executive, 10.06.2017

“We believe that extending the waiver is unnecessary to support the humanitarian relief efforts on the island. There is an ample supply of Jones Act-qualified vessels to ensure that cargo is able to reach Puerto Rico,” said DHS press secretary David Lapan. Lapan added that the Department of Defense has not asked for an extension – the formal mechanism required for a temporary waiver in the interest of national defense – and noted that no vessels have taken advantage of the waiver to date..."

DETAILED STUDIES regarding the Jones Act.  Please comment below if you have other sources of information that can be helpful in understanding the impacts of a repeal or modification of the act.

THE JONES ACT IN PERSPECTIVE: A survey of the costs and effects of the 1920 Merchant Marine Act

by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii | Apr 9, 2017 | Blog, Jones Act, Policy Briefs

PUERTO RICO Characteristics of the Island’s Maritime Trade and Potential Effects of Modifying the Jones Act
United States,  Government Accountability Office, 2013.