Washington — During an appearance on "Face the Nation," Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed confidence in President Biden's ambitious plan to reopen the channel for normal maritime operations following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse last month. Governor Moore described the timeline as "aggressive" but "realistic," emphasizing that the restoration efforts will be a round-the-clock endeavor aimed at fully restoring the channel by the end of May.
"It is an aggressive timeline, but we are going to work around the clock to make sure that we hit this timeline," Moore stated during the interview.
- Read the full transcript of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's interview on "Face the Nation," April 7, 2024
Governor Moore commended the progress made so far, highlighting that within less than two weeks since the March 26 collapse caused by a Singapore-flagged container ship collision, channels have already been cleared to allow some ships to pass through.
"We have now moved hundreds of tons out of the river," Governor Moore shared, noting that recent efforts have resulted in the removal of debris equivalent to the weight of the Statue of Liberty in just a few days.
As efforts continue to rebuild and restore the economy following the recent collapse, Moore emphasized that "we still have a long journey ahead of us in terms of recovery." However, he pointed out that progress is already underway.
These remarks come in the wake of the president's recent visit to Baltimore, where he expressed solidarity after the bridge incident. During his visit, President Biden announced additional federal financial assistance to support the city's economy, stating that the government is committed to expediting the bridge's reconstruction.
President Biden has insisted that the federal government cover the entire cost of the bridge's restoration and has called on Congress to back this initiative. However, the level of bipartisan support for the funding remains uncertain at this time.
Moore reiterated on Sunday that the impact of this tragedy extends beyond the local region, emphasizing the need for a united and bipartisan approach to the reconstruction efforts.
