The House Freedom Caucus is pushing back against President Joe Biden‘s proposal to allocate federal funds to reconstruct the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which collapsed due to an accidental collision with a cargo ship.
While Biden intends for the federal government to cover the entire cost of the bridge reconstruction, the Freedom Caucus insists that the funding must be “fully offset” before Congress considers any emergency supplemental funding.
They argue that seeking maximum liability from the foreign shipping companies involved and utilizing available federal funds through the Port of Baltimore should be prioritized.
President Joe Biden (Credits: The White House)
In a statement released on Friday, the group outlined its position, emphasizing the importance of exploring alternative funding sources before resorting to taxpayer money.
They assert that if federal funds become necessary, Congress should ensure they are offset and that regulatory hurdles are minimized to prevent unnecessary delays and expenses. Additionally, they advocate for limiting the funding to repairs directly related to the physical structure with federal involvement.
Baltimore Bridge (Credits: RNZ)
The Freedom Caucus calls for the Biden administration to lift the pause on approvals of liquefied natural gas export terminals before Congress considers appropriating funds for the bridge repairs. They argue that addressing this issue is essential for ensuring energy infrastructure development and economic growth.
The Freedom Caucus opposes using taxpayer money for bridge reconstruction without exploring other avenues for funding and addressing regulatory barriers. They emphasize accountability, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility in handling the consequences of the bridge collapse.
