Time is money in the shipping business.

If we do not act quickly, Jaxport will fall behind competitors on the East Coast - and the economic engine that has driven this community for the past decade will be put in danger.

The Jones Act is an important tool to maintain Northeast Florida's domestic ship repair industry, which is so vital to our Navy and national security.

Larger Post Panamax ships are critical to securing America's position in a global market, and all our ports, including Jaxport, must be deep enough to handle them.

The bottom line, addressing defense spending cuts with a meat ax like sequestration will damage defense readiness for decades to come.