AEA Joins With 24 Free Market Groups In Commending The Trump Administration For Extending The Jones Act Waivers

On Thursday, August 13, 2026 the American Energy Alliance joined with 24 other free market advocacy groups in sending a letter to key members of the Trump administration, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Department Of War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, commending the administration for extending the Jones Act waivers.

Enacting Jones Act waivers for the transportation of liquified natural gas was a key part of the American Energy Blueprint which the Institute for Energy Research (IER) published when President Trump took office. More information regarding the harms the Jones Act has for American families can be found in this article from IER. The full text of the letter is available below:

Dear Secretary Mullin, Secretary Hegseth, Secretary Wright, and Secretary Rollins:

 The undersigned individuals write to commend President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend enforcement of the century-old Jones Act for covered commodities for an additional 90 days rather than allow his waiver to expire. 

The Jones Act requires cargo shipped domestically over water to be carried on vessels that are U.S.-built, owned, and crewed, even if more affordable and efficient options are available. However, U.S. law allows the Secretary of War to request a waiver of the Jones Act when “necessary in the interest of national defense to address an immediate adverse effect on military operations. 

The U.S.-Iran engagement and resulting energy disruptions underscore the ongoing importance of Jones Act waivers. President Trump’s actions have permitted more than 200 voyages since March, allowing vessels to deliver goods Americans rely on, including gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, crude oil, and fertilizer. Allowing this beneficial waiver to end would not have been in the national interest. Although the extended waiver adds a new requirement for consultations between the Maritime Administration and the Pentagon, we applaud the Administration for not allowing it to expire. 

Thank you for your leadership. 

Sincerely,