Biden says the federal government should foot the bill for rebuilding the Baltimore bridge following its collapse

President Joe Biden expressed his determination for the federal government to cover the expenses of rebuilding the Baltimore bridge, which collapsed early Tuesday morning following a collision with a large cargo ship striking one of its support pillars directly.

"We’re gonna work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support it needs. 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" Biden stated briefly from the White House before departing for North Carolina.

Biden acknowledged that rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge spanning the Patapsco River will require "some time." However, he assured Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, that he has instructed the federal government to exert maximum effort to expedite the reopening of the port and the reconstruction of the bridge "as swiftly as humanly possible."

Biden emphasized that the primary focus remains on the search and rescue mission, leading to the suspension of ship traffic and operations at the Port of Baltimore until further notice.