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President Biden has pledged to fully fund the reconstruction of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed following a collision with a cargo ship.

In a statement made at the White House, the President expressed his intention for the federal government to cover the entire expense of the rebuild. “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 said.

The collapse occurred early Tuesday morning when the cargo ship Dali struck the bridge on its journey to Sri Lanka, resulting in a significant portion of the structure plunging into the water. This incident has prompted a state of emergency in Maryland and Baltimore, with ongoing search-and-rescue operations for the missing individuals. The President highlighted the critical role of the bridge and the Port of Baltimore in the regional and national economy, underscoring the urgency of the reconstruction efforts. “As I told Governor Moore, I’ve directed my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible,” Biden stated.

In response to inquiries about the financial responsibility of the cargo ship’s company, President Biden emphasized the priority of immediate reconstruction over financial disputes. “We’re going to pay for it to get the bridge rebuilt and open,” he confirmed. The President plans to visit the site of the collapse soon to assess the situation firsthand.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge is a vital artery for Baltimore, supporting the local economy and the daily routines of thousands.