Francis Scott Key Bridge

Floor Speech

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Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a national tragedy that impacts all Americans.

I continue to pray for the families of the bridge workers who were lost in this catastrophe. While our hearts are with them, and with Maryland, the impacts of this disaster have a national and global reach.

The Port of Baltimore is one of the most critical pieces of maritime infrastructure in the United States, directly and indirectly employing thousands of hardworking Americans far beyond the Chesapeake Bay. Small businesses up and down the East Coast and across the country will feel the impacts of this disruption, and we must do all we can to minimize the economic toll they will bear, and to protect the workers they employ.

While the focus remains on clearing the channel and returning port operations to their full capacity, I stand with President Biden along with Maryland's state and local leaders and Congressional delegation-- we will do all we can to assist those impacted by the loss of this thoroughfare and the closure of the Port of Baltimore.

I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide the resources needed to rebuild and recover.

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