President Biden Pledges Support for Baltimore After Bridge Collapse Tragedy
President Biden visited the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, where a cargo ship struck the bridge last week, resulting in the tragic deaths of six construction workers. During his visit, Biden expressed his deep familial ties to the city, as his father was raised in Baltimore and still has family in the region.
Biden promised to do everything in his power to re-construct a new bridge, stating that “heaven and earth” would be moved to make it happen. He assured the state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore that the nation has their back and pledged federal support for the rebuilding efforts.
The collapse of the bridge has had a significant impact on the Port of Baltimore, one of the nation’s largest shipping hubs. Biden emphasized the importance of reopening the port to ensure the smooth flow of commercial vessels and prevent disruptions to other ports around the country.
The cargo ship Dali, which struck the bridge and caused its collapse, issued a mayday alert before the incident, allowing authorities to stop traffic but tragically not in time to save the construction workers on the bridge. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland described the incident as a loss for the Baltimore community and introduced Biden during his visit.
Biden assured that the federal government would cover the costs of building a new bridge and called on Congress to authorize the necessary legislation. The owners of the cargo ship have filed a court petition to limit their legal liability in accordance with U.S. maritime law.
The President’s visit to Baltimore underscored his commitment to supporting the city and its residents in the aftermath of this tragic event.
