The Jones Act waiver for Puerto Rico expired Monday, Oct 9 and is not expected to be renewed, Department of Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan tells the Huffington Post.

The Jones Act, originally signed in 1920, requires goods shipped from one U.S. port to another U.S. port must be done on an American-built, owned and operated ship. Waiving the Jones Act, obviously, makes it easier to put ships to work to deliver aid regardless of the ship's manufacturer, owner or operator's citizenship and nationality.

Lapan told the outlet in a statement that "it is not being extended at this time."

"We believe that extending the waiver is unnecessary to support the humanitarian relief efforts," he told HuffPost on Monday. "There is an ample supply of Jones Act-qualified vessels to ensure that cargo is able to reach."

The Trump administration came under fire for not waiving the act immediately but eventually did so for 10 days on Sept. 28. The administration initially said it didn't need to waive the Jones Act for Puerto Rico because it wouldn't fix the main problem in the island's damaged ports.

"This waiver will ensure that over the next ten days, all options are available to move and distribute goods to the people of Puerto Rico," Elaine Duke, acting Department of Homeland Security secretary, said in a news release announcing the approved waiver on Sept. 28.

"It is intended to ensure we have enough fuel and commodities to support lifesaving efforts, respond to the storm, and restore critical services and critical infrastructure operations in the wake of these devastating storms."

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, was one of several lawmakers who tried to urge Department of Homeland Security secretary Elaine Duke into waiving the Jones Act for Puerto Rico.

McCain responded to the news on Monday, to the HuffPost, by saying that the Jones Act "will continue to hinder much-needed efforts to help the people of Puerto Rico recover and rebuild from Hurricane Maria."

The senator was joined by Mike Lee, R-Utah, in introducing legislation to do away with the Jones Act permanently for Puerto Rico back on Sept. 28.

"Our legislation would permanently exempt Puerto Rico from the Jones Act, an antiquated, protectionist law that has driven up costs and crippled Puerto Rico's economy," McCain said in the news release announcing the legislation. "For years, I have fought to fully repeal the Jones Act, which has long outlived its purpose to the benefit of special interests. It's time for Congress to take action, end this injustice, and help our fellow citizens in this time of need."

Letter sent to Majority and Minority leaders asking for more access to federal funding and programs for Puerto Rico's recovery efforts. pic.twitter.com/qI32eR6Bym — Ricardo Rossello (@ricardorossello) October 9, 2017

--

The Puerto Rico government reported on Friday that a little more than 10 percent of people living on the island have power. About 78 percent of the island had access to gasoline, 73 percent access to a supermarket and 42 percent with telecommunication service.