President Biden is set to visit Baltimore to tour the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, where officials will provide an operational update on response efforts as workers continue to clear the Patapsco River. The President will be accompanied by Governor Wes Moore, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and others. Biden will meet with the families of six construction workers who lost their lives in the collapse, which was caused by a Singapore-flagged container ship losing power and striking a support pylon. The White House hopes to reopen the Port of Baltimore by the end of May, as it is a crucial hub for the economy, with up to $200 million in cargo moving through the port daily.
President Biden will emphasize the Federal Highway Administration’s $60 million in emergency relief funds for Maryland and call for Congress to fully fund the estimated $400 million cost of rebuilding the bridge. The administration is also providing low-interest disaster loans for small businesses and funding for workers affected by the port closure. However, the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus is demanding any new recovery spending be offset by cuts elsewhere and that the single-subject rule be followed in the proposed bill. Despite this opposition, Republicans and Democrats in the House support the funding bill, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled willingness to assist in funding the rebuilding efforts.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has caused significant disruptions to shipping and commerce, prompting the Army Corps of Engineers to establish a temporary alternate channel for vessels. The goal is to open a limited-access channel for certain vessels by the end of April and restore full capacity to the port by the end of May. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to secure maximum liability from the foreign shipping companies involved in the incident. Congress is being asked to provide 100% of the reconstruction costs and eliminate the need for Maryland to share in the expenses, citing past instances where such measures were taken in response to disasters like the Minneapolis bridge collapse in 2007.
Despite the demands from the House Freedom Caucus for offsetting cuts and adherence to the single-subject rule, bipartisan support for emergency funding for the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remains strong. President Biden’s visit to Baltimore underscores the federal government’s commitment to aiding recovery efforts in the wake of the bridge collapse. The importance of reopening the Port of Baltimore cannot be understated, as it is a vital hub for importing and exporting goods, with significant economic ramifications if delays in reopening are prolonged. As Biden meets with officials and families affected by the tragedy, the focus remains on securing the necessary funds and resources to rebuild the bridge and restore normal operations at the port.
