Amy Klobuchar: “I rise today to address the urgent need to support the people of Baltimore in the wake of the tragic Francis Scott Key…”

“I rise today to address the urgent need to support the people of Baltimore in the wake of the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. This is near and dear to my heart because of the 35W bridge collapse, and I am well-aware of the response of Congress at that moment many years ago, and I think it is relevant to some of the discussions that have come out of the Baltimore bridge collapse. I thought I would share them with my colleagues today. First, my heart is with the entire city of Baltimore, especially the families and loved ones of the six workers who died and the workers still trapped on the boat that struck the bridge. I know our colleagues Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen are working around the clock to support the victims' families. President Biden was just at the bridge and has pledged his support to get this rebuilt and to open the port and to do everything necessary. And we must stand with them. I thank the heroic first responders, the Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Maryland officials, including, of course, Governor Moore, who acted swiftly and made sure that lives were saved. Yes, you think about the story of the immediate response to the mayday and the first responders in the middle of the night who made sure other cars didn't get on that bridge. You also think of the Governor there the next day making sure people knew what had happened and what their plans were.…”