A US congressman has proposed exempting Puerto Rico from the Jones Act, the law that covers the country's cabotage trade.
Representative Gary Palmer offered his already-controversial proposal as an amendment to a bill aimed at tackling the debt crisis on the US-controlled island.
The legislative move drew a quick and sharp reaction from the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA).
Alabama helped by Jones Act?
"Given that the Jones Act and US shipyard industry support more than 12,800 jobs and contributes over $953m in GDP to the US economy from Alabama alone, we are disappointed that Rep Palmer seems to be more focused on political manoeuvring than on protecting our nation’s domestic and economic security," said SCA president Matthew Paxton.
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