Biden: Federal Government To Cover Cost Of Reconstructing Baltimore Bridge

President Biden, delivering remarks at the White House, has announced that it is his intention, "that federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing," the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland and he "expects Congress to support" his effort.

• Biden notes the economic importance of the Baltimore port, where operations have been suspended until further notice, to the automotive sector specifically, and the economy of the US northeast in general. Biden pledges to "move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible."
• On the economic fallout, Biden notes the port, "handled a record amount of cargo last year. Its also the top port in America for both imports and exports of automotive vehicles and light trucks." Biden says around 850,000 vehicles go through the port every year and 15,000 jobs depend on the port.
• Biden confirms earlier reports that the collapse of the bridge was due to an accident rather than any form of malicious attack.
• Biden says he will visit Baltimore "as quickly as he can." The White House may schedule a visit soon considering Biden suffered major political fallout for failing to visit the site of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023.