White House says a temporary jones act waiver is on the table

The White House said it is prepared to waive the jones act for a limited time to keep fuel and agricultural goods flowing as oil and gas prices climb. White House

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters the move would be taken “in the interest of national defense” and is not yet finalized. The statement to CBS News said the waiver would be temporary and aimed at ensuring “vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports.”

What a jones act waiver would change — and why it matters

The jones act is a century-old law that requires cargo moved by water between U.S. ports to sail on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed. That restriction limits how many tankers domestic shippers can use and can tighten supply when shipping routes are disrupted.

A waiver would temporarily allow foreign-flagged ships to move fuel between U.S. ports. Experts cited by the White House say that could ease short-term supply disruptions and help push down regional energy costs.

• The waiver would let foreign tankers transport fuel coast-to-coast inside the U.S. for a limited period.
• It could increase available shipping capacity quickly, easing bottlenecks created by the international disruption.
• Officials say the measure is meant to be short-term and targeted, not a permanent change to maritime law.

Prices and market reaction tied to the conflict with Iran

Energy prices have jumped since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, pushing market stress and consumer costs higher. According to data cited in the reporting, Brent crude rose about 8% on Thursday and briefly topped $100 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate jumped nearly 9% to $95.02 a barrel. Those moves reflect both supply fears and shipping chokepoints.

• Brent’s jump and a nearly 9% WTI rise followed the escalation in the region.
• The market reaction increased pressure on policymakers to act to stabilize supply and prices.

How consumers are feeling: gas prices and short-term pain

Gasoline costs are already pinching drivers. On March 12, 2026, the national average for a gallon of gas was $3.60 — up $0.65 from a month earlier and $0.52 from a year ago, according to the figures provided. AAA

Administration officials acknowledged the strain. They described the price surge as short-term pain that may be necessary to address a larger security threat and to shore up global energy stability.

Coordinated releases and other policy tools

The administration joined other countries in large, coordinated releases of oil to stabilize markets. Member countries of the International Energy Agency committed to inject 400 million barrels into global markets, while the U.S. announced it would release 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Officials cautioned that strategic releases tend to stabilize markets rather than permanently reverse price spikes. The Jones Act waiver is being discussed as an additional, targeted measure to increase domestic distribution capacity.

Legal path and past precedents for a waiver

Under federal law, the Homeland Security secretary and the Defense secretary can request a waiver when doing so serves the “interest of national defense.” The federal government has used such exceptions during severe disruptions in the past — for example after major hurricanes — when freezing the law was judged necessary to move goods and fuels quickly.

Political context: administration stance and messaging

The waiver consideration arrives amid political pressure over rising fuel costs. The administration has framed the spike as a short-term disruption with long-term security benefits. They’re saying it can tolerate the political risk for some time. A White House official said the administration believes it can withstand price-related political pressure for as long as a month.

Risks, limits and what to watch next

• Whether a waiver is finalized and how narrowly it will be written.
• The timeline for any increased tanker escorts or maritime operations to restore normal routing.
• The effectiveness of the 400 million-barrel IEA release and the U.S. draw from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in calming markets.

The administration’s deliberations reflect a balance of logistics and politics. Legal steps to broaden transport options while relying on coordinated reserve releases to steady crude markets.

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