Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida on Sunday called on the government to “come together” to support the Francis Scott Key Bridge relief project, calling the Biden administration “political gamesmanship” aimed at relief. I urged them not to do so.
Last Tuesday, the bridge collapsed after a cargo ship struck one of its supports, killing six construction workers and sending the steel structure into the Patapsco River. Debris is currently blocking the entrance to the Port of Baltimore, and it remains unclear when the port will reopen.
“I know it’s going to take a lot of effort. But this should be an issue that brings us all together. [on]. Unfortunately, the Biden administration played politics,” Scott said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”
“There are farmers in Florida who still haven’t received relief for a year and a half. So the federal government is a partner, and the federal government needs to be a partner. But we need to stop playing politics. And that’s exactly what the Biden administration has done,” he continued.
President Biden has vowed to rebuild the bridge soon and said he expects the federal government to pay for the entire “reconstruction” process.
The Department of Transportation granted $60 million in relief, calling it a “down payment on initial costs.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged Sunday that the money comes from the department’s emergency relief program, but noted that Congress may need to approve additional relief. He said he expects bipartisan support on Capitol Hill should the government need to rely on bipartisan support.
There are already signs of disagreement among lawmakers over saving the bridge. Many Democrats praised Biden’s relief promises, but conservative spending hawks argued against increasing the national debt.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
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