Casey, Baldwin: GOP Amendment Could Endanger U.S. Shipbuilding Jobs, Outsource Work Being Done by American Workers to Foreign Countries

Amendment Would Repeal Jones Act  Requirement That Goods Shipped Between U.S. Ports Be Carried By Only American-Made, Owned And Operated Ships

Amendment Could Cause Companies To Build Ships In Foreign Countries Putting At Risk Thousands Of Jobs Around The Country, Including Jobs At Wisconsin And Pennsylvania Shipyards And Ports, And Aboard Vessels

U.S. Maritime Administration Study: Shipbuilding Industry Employs 400,000 and Contributes $36B to Economy Every Year

Washington, DC- U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced their opposition to a pending amendment that could endanger U.S. shipbuilding jobs and outsource to foreign countries work currently being done by American workers. The amendment would repeal the Jones Act requirement that goods shipped between U.S. ports be carried by only American-made, owned and operated ships. The amendment could cause companies to build ships in foreign countries, putting at risk thousands of jobs around the country, including jobs at Wisconsin and Pennsylvania shipyards and ports, and aboard vessels. A recent study by the U.S. Maritime Administration cited the “economic importance” of the American shipbuilding and repair industry, with annual employment of more than 400,000, annual labor income of about $24 billion, and annual gross domestic product of $36 billion.

“This amendment could have a serious impact on jobs and economic growth across Pennsylvania from Erie to Philadelphia,” Senator Casey said. “We should be voting on amendments that create more jobs for American workers instead of putting them at risk. The Jones Act protects American jobs and helps ensure the safety of our ports. Repealing the Jones Act would be a mistake.” 

“Wisconsin is home to one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation, including a strong shipbuilding industry,” Senator Baldwin said. “Repealing the Jones Act would not only negatively impact the thousands of hardworking Wisconsinites this industry employs, but it would also stifle our collective efforts to support a Made in America economy.”