Statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation
BP Deepwater Horizon
As the response to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill continues, it is essential to underscore that, despite allegations to the contrary, the Jones Act has not hindered the cleanup effort.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are working to coordinate all offers of assistance – from domestic and international sources alike. Foreign-flag vessels have been participating, and will continue to participate, in the cleanup effort.
As we have reiterated in the past, if the Unified Command determines that specific assets are necessary but require a Jones Act waiver, we will do whatever is needed to ensure those assets are deployed. But to be absolutely clear, to date, the Jones Act has not prevented or delayed the mobilization of useful assets.
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