Team Maryland introduced legislation to ensure 100% federal support for replacing the Key Bridge.
Introduced in both the Senate and the House the “Baltimore Bridge Response Invests and Delivers Global Economic Relief Act” or “Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act” would remove the 10% cost-share requirement for federal funds.
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, joined with Congressmen Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey to introduce the bicameral, bipartisan legislation that would allow the federal government to fully fund the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and its approaches.
Gov. Wes Moore praised the bill for fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to have the federal government fully support rebuilding the bridge.
Emergency Relief funding automatically has a 100% federal cost share for the first 270 days after the disaster. Maryland has received $60 million in Emergency Relief funds so far.
“The impact of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has been felt deeply – across Baltimore, our state, and our nation. But during times of tragedy, we come together. As we continue to mourn the lives lost in Baltimore, we are committed to doing everything we can to support our City, our state, and our workers. That’s why federal Team Maryland is putting forward this bipartisan legislation to ensure the federal government covers the full cost of rebuilding the bridge as safely and quickly as possible – and that federal taxpayers benefit from any monies recovered from those found responsible. As we have in the wake of disaster many times before, it’s time to put politics aside and get this done,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“The sudden collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a human tragedy and an economic tragedy – for Maryland and the nation. As we continue to mourn the loss of life and this icon of our skyline, we can simultaneously begin work to heal the wounds created by this disaster. A new bridge can be a symbol of hope and resilience,” said Senator Cardin. “The federal government is an essential partner in this gargantuan task of reopening the Port of Baltimore shipping channel and replacing the bridge with one built for modern-day commerce and travel needs.”
Senator Cardin’s Office said that there has been “ample precedent for the federal government taking on 100 percent of the recovery costs after a major disaster, ranging from the Northridge earthquake in Southern California, the I-35W bridge collapse in Minnesota, and numerous major hurricanes nationwide.”
