U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright indicated on Tuesday that another temporary extension of the Jones Act waiver is likely, stating that the existing exemption has already contributed to lower energy prices in California and along the U.S. East Coast.

Speaking at a press conference in Brownsville, Texas, Wright said he expects fuel prices to decline in the coming weeks. The message comes as the White House seeks to reassure Americans amid mounting political pressure on President Donald Trump over gasoline costs that continue to average above $4 per gallon nationwide, according to media reports.

People familiar with the discussions said the administration is expected to extend the waiver within days to maintain flexibility for transporting fuel between U.S. ports. The current waiver is scheduled to expire on August 16 and has already become the longest suspension of Jones Act requirements in the program's history.

The Jones Act, formally Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, mandates that cargo transported between U.S. ports be carried on vessels built in the United States, owned by U.S. companies, and crewed by American workers. By temporarily lifting those requirements, the White House aims to expand the pool of available tankers and reduce transport costs that can ultimately affect retail gasoline prices. Industry analysts note that the move likely reduces prices by only pennies per gallon, but it remains one of the few near-term policy tools available to the administration ahead of the November midterm elections.

Waivers of the century-old law have historically been rare and short-lived, typically granted only for limited periods during natural disasters such as hurricanes that disrupt Gulf Coast refining operations. The current suspension's unprecedented duration has drawn scrutiny from maritime industry advocates who argue that extended relief from Jones Act requirements undermines the law's dual purpose of maintaining a viable U.S.-flagged merchant fleet and supporting domestic shipbuilding capacity.

Some industry observers expressed deeper reservations about the waiver, particularly given the administration's stated goal of revitalizing the U.S. maritime sector.

"If this occurs, it will be a shameful and nonsensical action," wrote analyst John McCown on LinkedIn. "It has had no measurable impact on gasoline prices as the movements result from unsustainable demand driven by traders seeking arbitrage profits. A continuation of what has already been the longest waiver in the history of the Jones Act that strikes at the core of our country's merchant marine raises concerns about how genuine support for a sector that has served us well in peace and war really is."

Gasoline prices have surged following the U.S.-led war with Iran, as Tehran controls access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the global crude oil supply flows.

Wright framed the waiver policy as consistent with a market-oriented approach that nonetheless deploys every available tool to push prices lower.

"President Trump believes in markets and he believes in capitalism. But he'll use every tool he has, including the bully pulpit, to try to encourage and put pressure to lower energy prices for Americans," Wright said, responding to a question about Trump's recent remarks urging major refiners such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron to return money to consumers at the pump.

The president has intensified rhetorical pressure on those companies, accusing them of earning excessive profits. At the same time, the administration has pursued measures aimed at increasing oil supply and expanding regulatory flexibility.

Key Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, have urged the administration to limit the exemption. They warn that broad or repeated waivers could weaken the domestic maritime fleet and undermine the Jones Act's national security objectives. Maritime industry groups have similarly stepped up their opposition to any further extensions.

Within the White House, internal discussions over the next steps have involved trade adviser Peter Navarro, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, and the White House Energy Dominance Council, according to sources. Officials have held meetings with maritime industry representatives and lawmakers to explore potential changes that would narrow the scope of the waiver while preserving the ability to move critical fuel supplies.

No final decision has been announced, and details remain subject to change. The administration has indicated it is continuing to monitor how the waiver is being utilized, and that any further announcements would come directly from the president or the administration.