Energy Secretary Wright Reports Nearly 100 Ships Have Used Trump's Jones Act Waiver for Oil Transport

Energy Secretary Chris Wright testified before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee that nearly 100 ships have used the Jones Act waiver granted by President Trump, with independent tracking confirming 95 total voyages as of June 8th. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried only by American-built, -flagged, and -crewed vessels; the waiver suspends this requirement to allow foreign tankers to transport oil domestically. The Trump administration issued the initial waiver in March and extended it in April for 90 days through July, as part of a broader strategy to lower energy prices amid the Iran conflict and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled about 20 million barrels of crude oil daily. Wright argued the waiver has been "enormously helpful" and emphasized the administration's commitment to lowering energy costs nationwide, particularly in California. However, Republican Rep. Randy Weber acknowledged the move's controversy and stressed the importance of restoring the Jones Act protections for the domestic maritime industry. A 2025 study by economists at the University of Chicago and Boston College found that eliminating the Jones Act could reduce East Coast fuel prices by $0.50 to $1.00 per barrel, though it would raise Gulf Coast prices by approximately $0.30 per barrel.