On Friday, the White House requested additional money from Congress to help cover the cost of addressing the Key Bridge collapse.
The Biden Administration is requesting an additional $3.1 billion for the Department of Transportation's Emergency Relief Program.
In addition to covering the cost of rebuilding the Key Bridge, that money would go toward repairing and rebuilding roads and highways damaged in disasters.
This is part of the Biden administration's attempt to fulfill its promise that the federal government would cover the cost of rebuilding the bridge.
Some additional $100+ million would go toward the Amry Corps of Engineers and the US Coast Guard to help them recover the funds they spent on the response to the Key Bridge.
Governor Wes Moore released a statement on the matter:
"One of the first calls I received on the morning of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse came from the White House. President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the entire Biden-Harris Administration have stood with Maryland every step of the way. They've helped us fully clear the federal channel in a matter of weeks – and today, President Biden reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to helping us rebuild and recover.
Rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge isn’t just about Maryland – it’s about the nation’s economy. The Port of Baltimore is an essential commercial artery for the entire country, handling more cars and more farm equipment than any other port within the United States. And you cannot have a fully functioning Port of Baltimore without the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which helps us move cargo to and through the port and across the east coast and midwest. Simply put: This isn't about nostalgia – this is about necessity.
I’ve met with over one hundred leaders in the White House and on Capitol Hill to talk about the way forward. We are building a broad coalition of both Democrats and Republicans, inside and outside of Maryland, who understand the importance of our work to rebuild the bridge. Now, it’s time for Congress to come together and pass the critical measures necessary to rebuild the bridge for the good of our nation’s economy.
Together, we will prove what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong."
