Baltimore, MD: Maryland lawmakers proposed bills in Congress to make sure that the federal government provides funds to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The lawmakers included the state’s only Republican representative as well.
A bill was presented in both houses of Congress on Thursday. The bill stated that the federal government would pay for the reconstruction of the bridge.
These changes would be made to the “federal cost-share requirement for Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program for Disaster-Damaged Highways and Bridges.” The bill is called the Baltimore Bridge Relief Bill.
The emergency assistance money would ensure that the state would pay for everything along with the federal government for the first 270 days after the disaster. So far, $60 million has been sent to the state.
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When the bill was first introduced in the Senate, Sen. Ben Cardin called the collapse “a human tragedy and an economic tragedy – for Maryland and the nation.”
“The federal government is an essential partner in this gargantuan task of reopening the Port of Baltimore shipping channel and replacing the bridge with one built for modern-day commerce and travel needs,” Cardin added to her statement.
Rep. Andy Harris, a member of the House Freedom Caucus from Maryland, agreed that money should be used to pay for the rebuilding. However, he doesn’t want taxpayers to be “held responsible for costs.” He said the money should be paid by a “careless, foreign-owned shipping company.”
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Congressman Steny Hoyer, who used to be the Democratic House Majority Leader, says that it is “in the best interest of every American” to reopen the Port of Baltimore and rebuild the bridge “as soon as possible.” He also said, “Voting against this bill is voting against the success of the American economy and the people of the United States.”
Last week, the House Freedom Caucus put out a statement telling people not to use some of the money meant for rebuilding on “pork-filled” spending projects. The group also said they wouldn’t vote on funds until the Biden administration stops blocking new sites for exporting liquefied natural gas as per The Center Square.