US (Washington Insider Magazine)— Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) launched a lobbying campaign on Capitol Hill to push for federal support in rebuilding Baltimore’s collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, which continues to disrupt the Port of Baltimore’s main shipping channel. With over 12,000 tons of steel and concrete debris blocking this vital economic route, Moore emphasized the national importance of the reconstruction effort.
In a statement, Moore expressed his commitment to persuading Congress, noting, “I want them to understand why rebuilding this bridge is a patriotic responsibility.” Accompanied by Maryland’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Andy Harris, the state’s only Republican in Congress, Moore underscored the bipartisan need to secure federal funding.
Challenges persist, particularly from conservative lawmakers, who seek funding cuts and policy conditions for aid. Despite the obstacles, Harris joined Moore and other Maryland representatives in emphasizing unity: “Tragedy knows no partisanship,” he said, as he backed the rebuilding push.
The reconstruction cost is expected to exceed $1 billion, though exact estimates remain undefined. The federal government has already provided $60 million in emergency aid and repurposed an $8 million grant for economic recovery. A recent bridge collapse, caused by a massive container ship, has left six workers dead or missing. Maryland officials prioritized the recovery of these workers’ bodies, with assistance from federal agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard. To date, three of the workers’ bodies have been recovered from the Patapsco River.
In response to the disaster, federal agencies are working to open a “limited access” shipping channel by month’s end, accommodating around 80% of the Port of Baltimore’s cargo traffic. Pilots specially trained for this route will begin operating later this week, according to Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon of the Army Corps.
At a closed-door meeting organized by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Moore and other Maryland leaders, along with federal officials, discussed future legislative measures to fund the reconstruction. Cardin pledged to introduce a bill covering full replacement costs and highlighted plans to pursue liability payments from parties responsible for the collapse. Ongoing investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board seek to determine fault, with ship owners currently denying responsibility.
On Tuesday, Moore also enacted a state law to increase weekly unemployment benefits for affected workers, exempting these payments from state taxes for two years. Local businesses and sports teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens, have contributed millions to support families of the deceased workers and those impacted economically. Rep. David Trone (D), running for Senate in 2024, called for ongoing financial support, stressing the inadequacy of current unemployment benefits.
The Biden administration, represented by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, expressed a commitment to taxpayer reimbursement for bridge reconstruction but emphasized that this should not delay necessary aid. Although some Republican senators voiced concerns about spending oversight, they acknowledged the urgency of reopening the port’s shipping channel, viewing it as a nationwide economic priority.
