Senior Senators Press for Baltimore Bridge Funds
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Emphasizing a need for restoring a key supply chain corridor in the Northeast, Maryland’s senators urged members of Congress to sign off on federal funds for rebuilding the bridge that collapsed in Baltimore in March.
Promoting the region’s freight connectivity as well as responding to the local area’s workforce are atop the priorities for stakeholders operating at the Port of Baltimore, Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen told colleagues on the Environment and Public Works Committee during a hearing July 10.
“March 26 was a shock to Maryland and the nation. The loss of life was our major concern. The Port of Baltimore was closed. The entire region — the entire country — was impacted by this tragedy, as a major artery for road and water traffic was shut down in seconds,” said Cardin, a senior member of the panel and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. “It would be a terrible precedent if a state was asked to pay a percentage of the recovery from a disaster of this size.
“Such a punitive request would never be made of a community hit by a hurricane or wildfire of this magnitude. In the end, in this case, the federal government will be reimbursed at record levels from insurance and other proceeds from responsible parties. We must finalize this federal cost-share now so that planning and construction of the new bridge can move forward with certainty. Every month of delay is a greater loss to our communities.”
Van sHollen
Van Hollen, a member of the influential Appropriations Committee, added, “For 47 years, the Key Bridge has stood as an iconic symbol in Baltimore — as well as a vital transportation artery for the region and the gateway to the Port of Baltimore. Its collapse shook the world, and it was a tragedy for our country, our state, and, most of all, the families who lost loved ones.
“Sen. Cardin and I introduced the bipartisan Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act with the Maryland delegation to uphold the tradition of providing 100% federal support for states that have undergone this kind of tragedy. We have been there for other states during their times of need, and we’re urging our colleagues in the Senate to stand with us now.”
At the hearing, EPW Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) called on colleagues to support the White House’s request.
Passing the supplemental appropriations bill will be the most expedient path to address not only the needs of Baltimore but also the needs of a number of other states awaiting assistance.
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.)
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“[The] $3.1 billion in emergency response funding that … President [Joe Bide] requested for the Department of Transportation would support efforts to address this disaster and a number of other disasters that have not yet received assistance,” the chairman said.
“Passing the supplemental appropriations bill will be the most expedient path to address not only the needs of Baltimore but also the needs of a number of other states awaiting assistance,” Carper added, noting Capitol Hill’s fiscal 2025 legislative funding process. Congressional funding leaders have yet to consider the aid the White House recently requested to rebuild the bridge.
Johnson
In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), the Office of Management and Budget outlined potential benefits associated with rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Shortly after the bridge collapse, the Old Line State’s delegation introduced a measure that would direct the federal government to rebuild the site’s infrastructure. This bipartisan Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act awaits bicameral consideration.
On March 26, six construction workers were killed after a containership slammed into the bridge. The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the bridge collapse remains ongoing.
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