Congressional staff members gathered at Grassroot’s offices in late May as part of their weeklong visit to focus on the impact of the Jones Act on Hawaii. Photo by Sean Mitsui.
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii joined with the Washington, D.C.-based Progressive Policy Institute last month to host a weeklong event in Honolulu that brought together senior congressional staff members to learn about the Jones Act.
The purpose of the event was to deepen understanding of Hawaii’s unique economic and strategic challenges, with a special focus on federal policies that disproportionately affect the state.
Through a series of site visits, expert briefings and discussions with local stakeholders, the guests explored the real-world impacts of the Jones Act, which Grassroot has long contended plays a significant role in the slow decline of America’s maritime industry and especially exacerbates Hawaii’s high cost of living.
The delegation also examined broader issues affecting Hawaii, including trade policy, energy infrastructure and national security concerns.
By fostering bipartisan dialogue and firsthand learning, the program aimed to better inform future policymaking in Washington, especially on matters critical to Hawaii.
To read a good article about the Jones Act published by PPI — founded in 1989 by the Democratic Leadership Council — click on the photo above or go here.
