UPDATE: Guam, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico revive quest to lower costs of goods

Several Guam senators joined Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico this morning in a long-distance forum that seeks relief from the high cost of goods to geographically distant U.S. jurisdictions as a result of the nearly century-old Jones Act.

Formally known as The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, the Jones Act is meant to protect American jobs on ships, and U.S. shipbuilders from foreign competition.



Proponents also call the law a necessity to the nation's security.



Ships that transport goods between U.S. ports must be made in America and manned by mostly American workers under the law.

Hawaii calls the antiquated law a "punitive restriction to the economies of the islands."



This morning’s forum was hosted by the Puerto Rico Senate and was held via Skype. Puerto Rico calls the Jones Act restrictions a “wall to economic development.”



Sens. Rory Respicio, Tom Ada, Judith Won Pat, Mary Camacho and Tina Muna-Barnes participated in this morning’s videoconference from the Guam Legislature’s public hearing room.

Respicio said the Jones Act has lost its relevance to the economic realities of today.



Echoing what Gov. Eddie Calvo said recently, Respicio said the Jones Act restrictions "impede our efforts to become a more self-sustaining people."



Guam Chamber of Commerce President David Leddy and Chamber legislative liaison Bobby Shringi joined the Guam senators in the legislative hearing room.

“The Guam Chamber stands for free, fair and open competition in the private sector,” the organization reiterated in a prepared statement. The Chamber's statement was first made in October 1993, and brought back to the forum this morning.



“The Jones Act’s application to Guam represents a government-mandated monopoly situation in the shipping industry that is in direct contravention to what the Chamber stands for,” the business organization stated. “The ultimate beneficiaries of free and open competition in the private sector are the people of Guam."

Respicio’s office stated he was asked to participate as a longtime advocate of Jones Act change, having identified this as one of the major federal issues to be addressed by the Guam First Commission.

Jones Act shipping restrictions discussed at the l...: Guam, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico lawmakers and stakeholders discussed their pursuit of Jones Act reform.

UPDATE: Guam, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico revive quest to lower costs of goods