I intend to continue talking about this until we do get a new start, or maybe we will just get ourselves something called an earmark.

Well, let's start with Russia.

It seems to me that the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act is very, very clear that it is a Jones Act region.

With all the things that are happening in Washington, it is pretty easy to feel concerned and to lose faith in what it is that we are doing here. It is language, questions of racism, questions of tax policy, winners, losers. Mr. Speaker, I…

First and foremost, we cannot become complacent in our defense of the Jones Act and our efforts, along with many other organizations, some of whom will be testifying this morning, to raise public awareness of the need for and the many…

If you are not willing to do that, and if you are not active--and I hope you would be very, very aggressive at this--it will move us towards more cargo, rather than less.

Second, we need to address the need to find new cargoes for the U.S.-flag vessels in both the international and coastwide trades.

Is there a timeframe in which that letter of nonavailability is applicable, or is it just available and then goes on for an unlimited period of time?

I couldn't agree with you more on your point about the Jones Act and a cornerstone.

So there is doubt as to whether or not the Outer Continental Shelf is subject to the Jones Act?

Well, our goal is to make sure this industry remains strong for the benefit of the committee members here.

We will hold you accountable for your efforts and for your activity and investigating, quantifying, and fully developing the information about all cargo that is impelled on American ships.