"My administration also continues to support the Jones Act as essential to the maintenance of our nation’s commercial and defense maritime interests.... Thanks to the Jones Act, the United States has a robust domestic shipping industry that directly supports 80,000 jobs and generates about 44,000 jobs in related industries. In addition to its economic contributions, the domestic shipping fleet supports our nation’s defense. Segments of this fleet — including the tugs and barges serving the inland waterways and the ships serving Great Lakes ports — have also helped staff reserve ships during international emergencies." - President Bill Clinton, 1997
"The principle that a nation’s own ships should carry its coastal trade, presently embodied in the Jones Act, has been part of this country’s maritime policy since the early days of the nation... A Reagan Administration will not support legislation that would jeopardize this longstanding policy or the jobs dependent on it." - Candidate Ronald Reagan, 1980
"We must protect the Jones Act. The Jones Act ensures the United States that it will always have a safe, reliable and economically efficient domestic maritime system — providing America the vital waterborne commerce it needs and deserves." - Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), 1997
"...Opponents of Cabotage would allow foreign operators to compete for all U.S. cargo without the responsibility of complying with all U.S. laws and requirements. That is fundamentally unfair. No other U.S. industry is expected to — or could — compete under these circumstances in our domestic economy... The battle to maintain the integrity of the Jones Act is a battle about national security and about economic security..." - Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), 1996
"Today, after two centuries, our Merchant Marine is every bit as important, and every bit as vital, to the commerce and to the defense of our nation as it has ever been... We simply cannot overstate the vital contributions of our U.S. Merchant Marine. Our national security depends on its vitality..." - Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1997
"The war in the Persian Gulf is over, but the Merchant Marine’s contribution to our nation continues... Not only do we need a strong Navy, but a strong maritime industry as well." - Gen. Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1992
"The Navy League... urges support... of the Jones Act, which is critical to U.S. national security and America’s economic well-being..." - Navy League of the United States, 1996-1997 Resolution