The House Freedom Caucus listed a series of demands to earn its support for funding the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, mainly calling on the Biden administration to lift natural gas export bans.
Their wishes came Friday, the same day President Biden said during a visit to Baltimore that the federal government should cover the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge, which could cost billions.
The arch-conservative caucus, which includes three dozen House Republicans, wants House Speaker Mike Johnson to play ball with their demands, given the GOP’s paper-thin majority in the House.
Among their conditions for support, the lawmakers are pressing the Biden administration to reverse course on banning the approval of natural gas export terminals. The stoppage is wildly unpopular among Republicans.
“The Biden administration’s pause on approvals of liquified natural gas export terminals, which, like the Baltimore harbor closure, has severe implications for foreign trade, must be lifted before Congress considers appropriating any funding for the bridge reconstruction,” the lawmakers said in a statement.
That position could squeeze Mr. Biden, who during his Baltimore visit promised to move “heaven and earth” to rebuild the Key Bridge.
The lawmakers are also calling for the Singaporean company that owns the cargo ship Dali, which caused the collapse by ramming into a bridge pillar, to face “maximum liability.”
If Maryland’s pot of already available federal funds isn’t enough to cover the cost of a rebuild and Congress must approve funding, the lawmakers want to ensure that the spending is paid for and the project can skirt regulations, like the Endangered Species Act, that could tack on time and increase cost.
“Furthermore, this funding must be limited to physical structure repairs with a federal nexus — this must not become a pork-filled bill loaded with unrelated projects, and the House of Representatives must adhere to the ‘single subject’ rule,” the lawmakers wrote.
Considering funding for the Key Bridge could take some time because of Congress’ jam-packed schedule when it returns Tuesday.
The Senate impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is slated to begin next week, but will likely be short-lived because Democrats control the upper chamber. The House might also make a move on foreign aid funding, particularly sending more money to Ukraine.