Posted on 06/20/24
| News Source: FOX45
Maryland lawmakers continue their push for complete federal funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Representative Kweisi Mfume, the democrat who represents Maryland's 7th District, is one of the main sponsors --but says the bill isn't moving as fast as he would like.
Mfume was on talk radio in Baltimore Wednesday with an update on the Bridge relief Act--proposed legislation which would federally fund 100% of the bridge rebuild, which has a price tag of just under $2 billion.
"The stand-alone bill is making its way through Congress, as anybody would tell you, that's a slow process," said Mfume.
Also considered is Mfume's push--with co-sponsor republican Representative Andy Harris, who represents Maryland's 1st District--for an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. It's a short cut approach, according to Mfume, to ensure the funds as the stand-alone bill works its way through the House.
A bill that seems to be moving at a snail's pace as Mfume addresses what's holding up the process.
"I think more than anything else there were 330 amendments brought up for the bill. I can't explain what's going on in the head of some of my republican colleagues, except that they probably don't want to deal with that many amendments," said Mfume.
Frustration, perhaps, over so-called "pork barrel" legislation. Political analyst John Dedie weighs in on the issue and how it can often affect the process.
"Everyone has an interest that they care about in their own district. (They say) we'll put a bunch of stuff in together where someone says I may not like this thing, but I like this thing. Part of the idea is compromise is when everyone walks away a little unhappy," said Dedie.
Mfume believes something else might be at play. Notably because of what President Joe Biden did--what he said when he visited the Port just days after the bridge's collapse in March.
"Folks finally we're going to move heaven and earth to rebuild this bridge as rapidly as humanly possible," said Biden.
"The real issue here though is that there are politics involved and there are some who would rather (the rebuilding of the bridge) not be seen as a Joe Biden victory, if you know what I mean. It's a political fight, make no mistake about that. I'll leave it there because I'm still negotiating," said Mfume.
Despite the slow process, Mfume says he's confident those federal dollars will come for the rebuild. Money he says that will go back into the federal treasury after litigation of insurance claims.