Nick Begich Suggested The Jones Act Be Repealed, Which The Hudson Institute Warned Could Create “Security Risks” That Alaska Would Bear The Brunt Of

Begich: “I Believe The Jones Act Should Be Repealed.” Host: “What about a carveout for the Jones Act?” Begich: “I took heck from the shipping industry in the last election cycle. I believe the Jones Act should be repealed. I believe it’s a hidden tax on Alaskans. It was supposed to be temporary. 29:40: Host:”This is a direct government subsidy to American ship builders.” Begich: “Not only has it passed on an enormous cost, but it actually makes the shipbuilding industry in the long run less competitive. I think if we approached this from a free market perspective, there would be a way to smartly phase this out. When you open things up to the forces of competition, we win.” [YouTube, Michael Dukes Show, 7/20/23]

The Hudson Institute Suggested Repealing The Jones Act Would Cause “Serious And Negative Impacts On American Security.” “The serious and negative impacts on American security that a Jones Act repeal would produce should, in the current geopolitical context, end discussion of that subject, but it is important to include an addendum. The core fallacy that led some to think that American shipping and shipbuilding industries are uncompetitive (or that repealing the Jones Act would strengthen rather than weaken American security) has also led to many other claims that defy common sense.” [The Hudson Institute, 5/30/24]

Alaskans “Would Bear The Costs Of The Greater Security Risks.” “On the contrary, all Alaskans, Hawaiians, and Puerto Ricans would bear the costs of the greater security risks that would result from transferring those key jobs away from American workers and exposing those communities’ maritime connections with the US mainland to foreign control.” [The Hudson Institute, 5/30/24]