President Joe Biden Visits Site of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse
Washington, D.C. — In a somber yet resolute visit, President Joe Biden arrived in Baltimore on Friday to survey the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
The tragic incident, which occurred on March 26, left six construction workers presumed dead and has cast a shadow over the bustling port city’s economy.
In the early hours of March 26, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital artery connecting Baltimore’s neighborhoods, suffered a catastrophic collapse.
A container ship, the Dali, lost power and collided with a critical support pillar, causing a section of the bridge to crumble into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River.
The impact was devastating, and the lives of six hardworking individuals were forever altered.
President Biden, accompanied by Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, took an aerial tour of the wreckage aboard Marine One.
From above, the twisted steel and debris painted a grim picture of the tragedy that unfolded. But Biden’s message was one of unwavering resolve: “Your nation has your back, and I mean it. Your nation has your back,” he assured local officials and recovery workers.
Biden’s vow echoed throughout the day. He pledged that the federal government would cover the entire cost of rebuilding the Key Bridge, emphasizing the urgency of congressional authorization for this effort.
“I fully intend…to have the federal government cover the cost of the building of this entire bridge, all of it. All of it,” Biden declared.
The Office of Management and Budget, led by Director Shalanda Young, formally requested Congress to authorize a “100 percent Federal cost share for rebuilding the bridge” in a letter to committee leaders.
As Marine One hovered above the Patapsco River, Biden expressed gratitude to the first responders who worked tirelessly to salvage the wreckage.
Later, he met with family members of the six workers who lost their lives. Their stories, their sacrifices, became woven into the fabric of Baltimore’s resilience.
“We’re with you. We’re going to stay with you as long as it takes,” Biden assured the grieving families. “And I promise: We’re not leaving”.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has galvanized Baltimore.
The National Economic Council swiftly convened the administration’s Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, recognizing the impact on industries dependent on the port.
Secretary Buttigieg emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate supply chain disruptions, both physical and digital.
In the wake of tragedy, Baltimore stands strong. The bridge will rise again, a testament to the resilience of its people.
As Biden departed, he left behind a promise etched in steel: “We will not rest…until the cement has dried on the entirety of a new bridge”