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.

  • tiramichu@lemm.ee
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    7 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.

    • exanime@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      this is all good… the problem is that, with the issue solved, nobody will put pressure to get that money back

      look at the BP spill, they barely took a hit on their profit margin and left a mess that nobody is looking at anymore

      • Blackbeard@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        Yeah that’s a great way to get an immediate injunction from a judge. That’s not how these things work.

      • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        I’m gonna ignore all the legalities that would have to be worked around to even attempt that plan, and skip straight to the final step of selling the seized goods.

        Not sure that fire damaged and/or waterlogged goods are gonna fetch a good price. The ship burned, and partially sank.