Appropriator Rep. David Trone Visits Port of Baltimore with Committee Colleagues, Urges 100 percent Federal Cost Share for Key Bridge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2024
Appropriator Rep. David Trone Visits Port of Baltimore with Committee Colleagues, Urges 100 percent Federal Cost Share for Key Bridge
Rep. Trone looks at the Dali crash site from aboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman David Trone (D-MD) visited the Port of Baltimore with his Appropriations Committee colleagues to push for a 100 percent federal cost share in funding the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. As the port remains crucial for commerce and employment in Maryland, the collapse has prompted urgent calls for action to mitigate the economic impact and prevent further disruption. Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) were among the many committee members in attendance, as well as Governor Wes Moore and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young.
Last month, Trone joined the Maryland Delegation in introducing the Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act to ensure the federal government supports 100 percent of the replacement of the bridge. Emergency Relief funding automatically has a 100 percent federal cost share for the first 270 days after the disaster. Maryland already has received $60 million in Emergency Relief funds.
The Key Bridge’s collapse has disrupted daily commutes, jobs, and America’s supply chain. Rebuilding the bridge and reopening the Port of Baltimore is not only essential for Marylanders, but for folks across the nation. The Port is a pillar of our nation’s economy: supporting nearly 150,000 jobs, importing more vehicles than any other port, and contributing over $15 million to the economy every day.
“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m working day and night to deploy federal funding as quickly as possible because I know how important it is to get this bridge up and running again. Our goal is to pass a bipartisan funding package that supports 100 percent of the replacement of this critical bridge, ” said Congressman Trone. “Our community cannot afford to wait, the economic and human costs of inaction are too high. Now is the time to put people over politics or risk a potential economic crisis in Maryland and across the country.”
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders.
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