The House Freedom Caucus on Friday demanded that all federal funding to repair the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore following its collapse must be "fully offset," among other requirements.
President Joe Biden said last week, when remarking on the collapse of the bridge following an accidental collision by a cargo ship, "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.”
However, many congressional Republicans criticized Biden for vowing to use taxpayer money for the reconstruction effort, saying that the company that owns the ship should be made to pay.
"The very thought of having the Federal Government pay for the Baltimore bridge is TOTALLY ABSURD!!" Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the Freedom Caucus, told The Hill in a text message last week. "This exemplifies the old slogan 'ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL!!"
The group released its official position on Friday, saying in a statement: "Before Congress considers any emergency supplemental funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, it's important that (1) we first seek maximum liability from the foreign shipping companies upfront and (2) the Port of Baltimore draws upon already available federal funds."
The statement adds that if taxpayer money "proves necessary" to the reconstruction efforts, "Congress should ensure it is fully offset and that burdensome regulations ... are waived to avoid all unnecessary delays and costs" and that the funding should be limited "to physical structure repairs with a federal nexus."
The group also demands that the Biden administration lift a "pause on approvals of liquified natural gas export terminals" before Congress considers appropriating funds for the repairs.
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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