On Thursday, Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) criticized President Biden for promising that the federal government will cover the cost of replacing the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which collapsed earlier this week after a cargo ship struck it, killing six people.
Biden stated that the federal government would “move heaven and earth” to reconstruct the bridge. The fall has disrupted East Coast trade, closing the Port of Baltimore and disconnecting Interstate 695.
“It was kind of outrageous immediately for Biden to express in this tragedy the idea that he’s going to use federal funds to pay for the entirety [of the bridge],” Meuser told Maria Bartiromo in a Fox News interview. “The first reaction, frankly the only reaction, tends to be to spend.”
On Tuesday, Biden promised to provide Baltimore “all the federal resources they need as we respond to this emergency,” adding that “we’re going to rebuild that port together.”
“It’s my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort,” he said in a speech at the White House. “This is going to take some time, but the people of Baltimore can count on us to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt.”
The cost and timeline for constructing a new bridge remain uncertain. According to federal officials, the project might require a budget of up to $2 billion.
According to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the federal government currently possesses approximately $950 million in funds that have been authorized for emergency use. This indicates that there is a high likelihood of requiring congressional action in order to completely cover the cost of the bridge.
Meuser suggested exploring options to obtain funds from the Singapore government, as the container ship MV Dali is registered there. Another possibility is to pursue the shipping company’s insurance.
“We cannot always opt for the easy way out and simply spend the taxpayers’ money without any consideration,” he expressed. “There needs to be more thought put into our decisions, rather than just mindlessly spending.”
Six roadway workers were tragically killed in the collapse while they were diligently working to fix potholes. Additionally, two individuals were fortunate enough to be rescued from the river but sustained injuries in the incident.
The Army Corps of Engineers made an announcement on Wednesday stating their plans to send 1,100 personnel to Baltimore. Their objective is to assist in the removal of the debris from the collapsed bridge, which is currently obstructing the entrance to the Port of Baltimore.
The closure of the port in Baltimore is expected to have significant economic consequences for the city. This is because the port plays a crucial role in importing cars and food products, as well as exporting coal. According to data from Maryland state, around 850,000 car and truck imports pass through the port, and approximately 30,000 vehicles cross the bridge on a daily basis. Moreover, the port is responsible for supporting approximately 15,000 jobs in the area.
