(ConservativeHub.com) – The White House disclosed on Monday, April 1 that President Joe Biden would be set to visit Baltimore the following Friday to inspect the collapse site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre conveyed a message of solidarity, stating, “We are with you Baltimore, and we will be there to get this done.” Biden had previously committed to touring Baltimore and the collapsed bridge site with Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore (D), following the incident’s occurrence last week.
Jean-Pierre explained that Biden is actively leading a comprehensive governmental response to the tragic event, which resulted in six fatalities and led to the temporary shutdown of one of the nation’s major ports. She mentioned that Biden is collaborating with Governor Moore to facilitate the reopening of the port and the reconstruction of the bridge.
The bridge, part of Interstate 695, fell into the water below after being struck by the cargo ship Dali around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, en route to Sri Lanka.
Biden has assured that federal funds will be used for the bridge’s reconstruction, a statement that has sparked criticism from those cautious about government spending. Nevertheless, the Transportation Department has allocated $16 million towards the bridge, an amount Jean-Pierre described as an initial installment.
She noted ongoing discussions with Congress regarding further financial aid, underscoring the president’s pledge to ensure the bridge’s restoration.
Jean-Pierre also mentioned that Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su visited Baltimore for stakeholder meetings on Monday, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had already been to the city on the day of the disaster.
The exact timeline for reopening the Port of Baltimore remains unclear, with officials indicating that reconstructing the bridge will require considerable time.
Copyright 2024, ConservativeHub.com
