Hoyer Remarks Urging Support for Baltimore and the Rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor today during a bipartisan Special Order Hour, hosted by Rep. Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) about the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. In his speech, Congressman Hoyer spoke about the city of Baltimore, the importance of reopening the port, and the urgent need to support rebuilding the Francis Scott Key bridge. Below is the transcript of his remarks and a link to the video:
Click here for a link to the video.
“I thank the gentleman for yielding, but just for the record, I was the Majority Leader. Late at night, a ship being guided by people working for the Port Authority of Baltimore lost control of a gigantic ship. Unable to propel it or guide it, they called immediately to the Transportation Authority, as Mr. Harris pointed out, and the good news for we don't know how many people, but perhaps hundreds, they acted quickly.
“We had a tragedy for the loss of six lives working on that bridge to keep it in good shape and safe shape. Tragically, for them, that gigantic ship that had lost power and lost the ability to steer it, took down a significant portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing their deaths. And that we lament and send our thoughts to their families.
“That was the immediate tragic effect. But the effect of these, of this bridge, and the sections of the bridge falling into the channel and precluding ingress and egress had international consequences, certainly consequences to the state of Maryland. Certainly consequences to the United States of America.
“This port being one of the busiest ports in America and as the previous speakers have said, carrying a variety of critically necessary products, and creating a dynamic economy – not only around the port itself, not only in Maryland, but internationally.
“So I rise to join my colleagues, and you might be surprised that this is bipartisan, nonpartisan, in approach. But it is because, as Mr. Harris again said, this is not a partisan tragedy – this is a tragedy for those who lost their lives, those who have lost their immediate economic – whether they were owners, or shippers, or whatever, or longshoremen – and others working for the port.
“As a result, we in Maryland believe this is, as we would believe if it were another port that had been so damaged, that this is a question that the entire country needs to address.
“We have done that before. We did it in that Minnesota bridge fell on an interstate and we acted. And we acted as a nation 100% paying for that Minnesota repair.
“We hope that and believe that the Congress will do the same.
“We are pleased that President Biden, in a very short time after the accident occurred, said that's what the nation would do and that's what he would recommend.
“I want to congratulate our Governor, who has set up essentially a command center. And I think every American citizen would be extraordinarily proud. Not only of those people who acted within a minute of stopping traffic, of hearing the danger from the ship itself – but also the Coast Guard ... the Army Corps of Engineers, they acted within literally hours of the accident – putting the machinery to fix it and open this port and to take care of the people who work for the port and are advantaged by the port.
“And they're on the job today, they'll be on the job tonight, they'll be on the job tomorrow morning. And our Secretary of Transportation, who oversees the Port Authority – indicated to us, just a few days ago, when we had a hearing – that they are hoping to open this port to 80% of the shipping that would use this port, not this big tanker – that they need a deeper draft – but 30 plus feet draft by the end of May.
“That is government at its best. In the press conference we had, and I will close with this, the biggest tragedies in many instances bring out the best of government, best of people – in helping one another overcome that tragedy.
“So I thank the gentleman for taking out this Special Order. This happened in his district, but it affects 434 other districts. The nation. And countless countries. So, I thank him for his leadership, for his strong voice, and for galvanizing the Maryland Delegation along with the Governor of our state, Governor Moore, to meet this challenge and make it better. Thank you.”