House Republicans are split over how to handle the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore after President Biden promised the federal government would pay the full cost of reconstruction.
House Republicans are divided over how to approach rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge as federal and state officials race to assess the deadly collapse and make plans to restore the Port of Baltimore.
A Singapore-linked container ship collided with the bridge early on Tuesday, sending the structure into the water. Officials have not given a timeline when they expect the Maryland port, one of the busiest on the East Coast, to reopen.
President Biden vowed earlier this week that the federal government would foot the bill for reconstructing the bridge and called on Congress to back him up. Early reports have indicated it could cost as much as $2 billion.
Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., who along with the rest of Maryland’s congressional delegation is calling for federal support, also argued the private companies involved in the incident should make up the cost.
“It was easy for the president to promise someone else’s money, American taxpayers’ money, but I think American taxpayers would kind of wish that he had the response he had after the East Palestine disaster, which is to call for the companies responsible to pay for the damages,” Harris told Fox News Digital, referencing last year’s toxic chemical train derailment in Ohio.
He also noted that there is federal funding immediately available for situations such as this.
