Trump administration to extend Jones Act waiver to ease gas prices

The Trump administration is expected to extend a waiver of the Jones Act, a century-old law requiring U.S.-built, owned, and crewed ships for domestic cargo transport, to help lower rising gasoline prices. The move follows President Trump's criticism of major oil companies for making excessive profits. The current waiver, set to expire on August 16, has already become the longest suspension in the program's history, used nearly 200 times in over four months. Administration officials are discussing narrowing its scope while maintaining flexibility for fuel supplies, with input from maritime industry representatives and lawmakers. Critics, including Republican leaders and maritime groups, are pushing for geographic limits and stricter oversight, arguing the waiver benefits foreign operators and weakens the domestic fleet. Analysts note the waiver would likely reduce gasoline prices by only pennies per gallon, with other options like pressuring Saudi Arabia constrained by the Iran conflict.