Republicans in Congress are blocking funds for the Baltimore bridge repair. Will you sign the petition to demand emergency funding NOW?

REPAIRING THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE IS NOT A 
PARTISAN ISSUE! 

Sign the petition to urge Congress to provide emergency funding to repair the Baltimore bridge NOW!

Dear MoveOn member, 

Families, loved ones, and community members are dealing with the horrible aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse that occurred just weeks ago when a cargo ship lost power and collided with one of the beam supports, tragically killing six Latino immigrant construction workers from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.¹ From rescue efforts to the closure of the Port of Baltimore, the damages and losses are in the billions of dollars.² We need Congress to intervene NOW to help clean up the wreckage and restore the bridge.

President Biden has already expressed support for the federal government's paying to reconstruct the bridge, and the Department of Transportation announced $60 million in emergency relief funds for the Maryland Department of Transportation.³ But already, Republicans in Congress are refusing to provide any further support.

The Baltimore bridge collapse is a catastrophe that requires leadership and cooperation. Republicans in Congress must STOP using this tragedy as political fodder and instead get to work restoring the bridge immediately. Congress can provide the necessary funding needed to quickly and swiftly repair the bridge—as it has done in the past.

The Port of Baltimore is a major U.S. port, and the national economy will suffer unless immediate action is taken to repair the bridge and reopen the port. Will you sign the petition to demand funding now?

When a bridge collapsed in Minnesota in 2007, it took Congress only 3 DAYS to allocate funding for the bridge repair. Tell Congress to stop playing political games and pass emergency funding to cover the costs of the Baltimore bridge repair NOW!

The federal government has a responsibility to intervene in disasters such as this—and they have in the past. From oil spills to public infrastructure catastrophes, the government has provided aid for public safety and economic stability. In 2007, a bridge tragically collapsed in Minnesota, killing 13 people and injuring more than 145 people. Congress took swift action, and in just three days authorized emergency funding to repair the bridge. And in 2013, the Skagit River Bridge collapse in the state of Washington resulted in $15.6 million in emergency funds.⁴

MAGA Republicans in Congress wasted no time in using the Baltimore bridge tragedy to push their own corrupted agenda—going so far as to blame diversity and DEI for the bridge collapse. Why? Because Baltimore’s mayor, Brandon Scott, is Black.⁵ It's blatant racism, and they are using that racism to stoke their most extreme base, all while refusing to take necessary action that the people in Maryland and across the country desperately need.

Enough! The Baltimore community needs funding to repair the Francis Scott Key Bridge NOW! Will you sign the petition?

The government's intervening to quickly repair the Baltimore bridge is good for Americans and the economy. GOP Republicans, putting their own political careers above the public good, are digging in their heels—insistent on resisting and undermining President Biden every step of the way. They need to be reminded whom they answer to: constituents. 

Click here to add your name to the petition, and then send it to three friends to help spread the word.

Thanks for all you do.

–Aliya, Kenia, Jensine, Sana, and the rest of the team

Sources:

 

1. "Latino immigrant workers died on the Baltimore bridge. More will likely rebuild it," CNN, April 4, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/189304?t=9&akid=380241%2E3735812%2EzQpUwn

2. "Baltimore bridge collapse: Who will pay for the destroyed bridge, harmed businesses and lost lives?" Associated Press, March 29, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/189305?t=11&akid=380241%2E3735812%2EzQpUwn

3. "Maryland receives $60 million in initial Key Bridge federal relief funds," The Washington Post, March 28, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/189306?t=13&akid=380241%2E3735812%2EzQpUwn

4. "Baltimore bridge collapse: Why the federal government is paying upfront to fix it," Politifact, April 2, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/189307?t=15&akid=380241%2E3735812%2EzQpUwn

5. "Will MAGA Republicans Block Baltimore's Rebuilding?" The New York Times, April 1, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/189308?t=17&akid=380241%2E3735812%2EzQpUwn

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