Drudge Report’s top article on Tuesday was about how the Department of Homeland Security is blocking delivery of rock salt, which is used to salt roads, to New Jersey.
The article, from CBS and AP, outlines how New Jersey officials are still waiting for the 40,000 tons of salt because the department is holding it up since it is being carried on a foreign ship.
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 stipulates that ships carrying cargo between U.S. ports must be carried on U.S.-flagged ships, and the department hasn’t issued a waiver yet.
“The State of New Jersey has been among the hardest hit states this winter season, with more than 70 inches of snow accumulated in some parts of the state,” said Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker. “The Governor has issued at least four state of emergency alerts. Several cities and municipalities are reporting shortages of rock salt, which has the potential to endanger motorists and the general public in future snow events.”
A request from the state’s Department of Transportation has so far not made an impact.
“I am convinced that a waiver a couple of days ago would’ve had the salt here already, so the faster we get a waiver, the faster we get the salt,” New Jersey Assemblyman Jon Bramnick said. “I’m deeply troubled that there hasn’t been a waiver.”
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