Posted on 12/17/24
| News Source: WBAL
The funding plan to pay for a new Key Bridge is in limbo despite the U.S. Senate rolling a funding amendment into a short-term spending bill.
Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, said the Republicans in the House of Representatives are holding it up. Meanwhile, a deadline looms at midnight on Friday.
The strategy has changed. Maryland’s congressional delegation is now seeking authorization for 100% funding and will work on getting the money for it later.
“House Republicans have not signed off on 100% funding for the Key Bridge. The Senate has signed off on that. But we have not been given a good reason why House Republicans continue to object,” Van Hollen told 11 News. “That is the state of play as we speak.”
President Joe Biden said in March that it is his intention to have the federal government pay for the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge.
The Senate rolled a provision calling for the federal government to cover 100% of the Key Bridge rebuild cost into a short-term spending bill. The continuing resolution legislation needs to be approved by the House and Senate by Friday to avoid a government shutdown.
“Every time we get a response from the House of Representatives, they have not included the 100% federal funding, even though it’s part of every Senate proposal that has been sent to the House,” said Van Hollen, who described the situation as a pingpong match.
Maryland’s congressional delegation is no longer seeking the money upfront but rather a guarantee that it will happen.
“What we are seeking is the commitment, the authorization that Maryland will be reimbursed 100% for the cost it incurs for rebuilding the Key Bridge. We also made clear that any proceeds from insurance companies or from litigation would go to the federal government to essentially pay back the federal government for any of the cost that they’ve incurred,” Van Hollen said.
Maryland’s congressional delegation decided the spending bill is a good vehicle because it already includes billions in disaster aid for hurricane-affected states. It also contains money for infrastructure projects across multiple states.
“We are going to push to the final moments to try to achieve that result. That’s where we are right now,” Van Hollen said.
Maryland Congressman Andy Harris, R-District 1, told WBAL Radio that he favors getting the 100% funding guarantee first, then working on getting the money.
State officials said the design of the new bridge is underway and is expected to be ready early next year. The planned rebuild completion date remains fall 2028.