The House Freedom Caucus is calling for federal funds earmarked for rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore to be offset with cuts in other areas and to be dedicated exclusively to structural repairs.
The ultra-conservative Republican group is asserting its official position as federal authorities work with the Maryland state government to assess both the damage caused by the bridge’s destruction and the impact on Port of Baltimore operations.
But before green-lighting the repair funding, the Freedom Caucus directed House Republican leaders to force the Biden administration to lift the moratorium on new export licenses for liquefied natural gas (LNG).
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Congressman Bob Good’s House Freedom Caucus seeks conditions for congressional aid to Baltimore (Scott Olson/Getty Images, Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“Before Congress considers additional emergency funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, it must first (1) require maximum upfront liability from foreign shipping companies, and (2) the Port of Baltimore is already available. “It is important to utilize federal funds that are available to the public,” the group said.
“If it turns out that taxpayer funds need to be appropriated to reopen one of the nation’s busiest ports, Congress will ensure that it is fully offset and avoids all unnecessary delays and costs. It should be ensured that burdensome regulations are waived.
The latter point was first raised last week by Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), a Freedom Caucus member who represents Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Cargo ship sinks on Baltimore Bridge in 2016, involved in accident
“Furthermore, this funding must be limited to the rehabilitation of physical structures in coordination with the Commonwealth. This cannot be a pig-filled bill packed with unrelated projects, and the House must ensure that it is ‘single-subject.’ We must abide by the rules,” the Freedom Caucus statement said. Said.
“Finally, the Biden administration’s suspension of approvals for liquefied natural gas export terminals, as well as the closure of the Port of Baltimore, will severely impact foreign trade, but before Congress considers appropriating funds for bridge reconstruction. must be lifted.”
Last week, a container ship lost power and crashed, destroying a bridge. (FBI Baltimore)
It is unclear how much impact the group’s opposition will have. Although still in its early stages, the funding package is expected to receive broad bipartisan support in the House and Senate, especially if it targets only the bridge and its operations.
The bridge collapsed last week after a container ship connected to Singapore lost power and crashed into the structure, killing six construction workers.
House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.), who also chairs the House Appropriations Committee’s transportation subcommittee, told Fox News Digital a few days later that a funding package could be finalized “within a few weeks.” said that it was high.
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Cole, whose subcommittee is central to the bridge funding plan, expects these funds will need to go beyond just reconstruction.
Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s transportation subcommittee, told Fox News Digital days after the incident that Congressional policy could take shape within weeks. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“This could be a little more complicated than normal. Obviously there’s the bridge itself, but there’s also the potential damage associated with disruption of port traffic,” Cole told FOX News Digital. “Traffic may be disrupted, people may lose their jobs, and the port itself may be closed, as it is likely not to be fully operational for several weeks.”
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But House Republicans who spoke to Fox News Digital last week were divided over President Biden’s promise that the federal government would pay for the entire rebuilding cost.
The cost could reportedly reach up to $2 billion.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Speaker Johnson’s office for comment.
