President Biden vowed Tuesday to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge after it collapsed into the water when a cargo ship rammed into it, echoing what some Maryland officials said earlier but adding that he expects the federal government to foot the bill.

“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,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. “This is going to take some time, but the people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopen and the bridge is rebuilt.”

He said he spoke with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Tuesday morning, as well as Maryland officials including its congressional delegation and two U.S. senators. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to the Baltimore site.

  • tsonfeir@lemm.ee
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    8 months ago

    I’m pretty sure they were going to do that with or without him. the party responsible for the incident should be the one fitting the bill

    • tiramichu@lemm.ee
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      8 months ago

      Yes, but ascertaining liability and securing a payout is a process that may take many years of being dragged through the courts, if it is even successful at all.

      The government making money available immediately does help get things going with less uncertainty about who can foot the bill.

    • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
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      8 months ago

      Bridges are fucking expensive, I’m not certain if the government will be able to recover a significant portion of the cost.

    • popcap200
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      8 months ago

      Someone doesn’t remember the 9/11 responder funding, hurricane funding, the rhetoric around COVID funding, etc. etc.