The catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has dominated headlines for per week. Many outstanding voices among the many nation’s management have voiced their assist for Maryland within the aftermath. President Joe Biden responded immediately with a press convention. Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer offered “any assist wanted as Baltimore works to get better.” Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries vowed to “be there for the state of Maryland.”
However from Home Speaker Mike Johnson? Crickets. No tweets, no press releases, no statements.
That is perhaps as a result of he’s nonetheless studying what’s anticipated of the particular person second in line to the presidency. Or it is perhaps as a result of he’s simply been too busy having the vapors over the White Home’s Easter celebrations. Perhaps it’s as a result of the Key Bridge reconstruction has emerged as the most recent friction level within the Home with among the standard Freedom Caucus suspects elevating hell about who’s going to pay for fixing it.
It started hours after the catastrophe, when the extremists jumped in with their standard conspiracy theories and racism, blaming the bridge collapse on every part from Biden’s infrastructure invoice and border insurance policies to the variety, fairness, and inclusion packages of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, each Black males. So it’s not arduous to fathom why far-right lawmakers don’t need the federal authorities concerned in rebuilding the bridge.
South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman said that Biden’s promise to pay for rebuilding the bridge is “absurd” and “idiotic.” His fellow South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan no less than acknowledged that it is a “tragedy,” however insisted ”Earlier than we spend another dime for home infrastructure, we should construct a home border wall.” Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania said that it was “outrageous” for Biden to pledge federal {dollars}. “You already know, he doesn’t consult with it because the American taxpayer {dollars} on something. You already know, the primary response, the truth is the one response, tends to be to spend.”
Oops. White Home spokesman Andrew Bates was prepared for that one:
In the meantime, accountable Home Republicans like Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, chair of the Home Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee on transportation, is aware of that after all this needs to be performed. “I’m not hostile to that in any respect,” Cole informed Fox Information, as a result of the operations of this main port have an effect on the nationwide economic system.
“I’ve discovered extra in regards to the Port of Baltimore than I knew within the final 48 hours, when it comes to how essential it’s … whether or not it is transferring cars by means of there, and transferring agricultural—each exports and imports—when it comes to provides and equipment,” Cole stated. “I am not going to quibble with the President of america over this … and definitely, Baltimore has each purpose to count on a full and strong federal response.”
Johnson is perhaps protecting his head within the sand to keep away from this brewing struggle, preferring to take pot photographs at Biden over Easter eggs, however he’s not going to have the ability to keep away from it for lengthy. The Home returns to work subsequent Tuesday.
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