Marylanders plot a Hill bridge response

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Mar 28, 2024 View in browser   By Daniella Diaz With assists from POLITICO’s Congress team We spoke to two key lawmakers — Democratic Reps. John Sarbanes, who represents the area just south of the bridge, and David Trone, one of four Maryland appropriators. | Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images SPAN AND DELIVER As if lawmakers didn’t have enough to address when they return next month from their two-week recess, they’re going to have to add a response to the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge to their to-do list. The Maryland delegation has been strategizing behind the scenes on what can be done to help their state address a deadly tragedy that could have billions of dollars in economic impact — between the extended closure of the port, transport disruptions and the cost of replacing the bridge. We spoke to two key lawmakers — Democratic Reps. John Sarbanes, who represents the area just south of the bridge, and David Trone, one of four Maryland appropriators. What comes next? The top priority, Trone said, is to clear the remains of the collapsed bridge so that the Port of Baltimore can function again as soon as possible. He underscored that the economic consequences of the bridge collapse are dire, making the port’s reopening absolutely critical. “It's really about the next four weeks [of cleanup] and how we make it four — that we don't let it become 12, because that would be a tragedy for the people on the ground and the Port of Baltimore,” Trone said. “It's the No. 1 port in the country for importation of cars. So that's a huge number right there.” The cleanup will likely be paid out of state funds (and potentially compensated pending a lengthy insurance claims process). The White House separately is preparing to send Congress a supplemental funding request to pay for the construction of a new bridge. The price tag is still being debated but is expected to possibly reach “ten figures,” Trone said — at least $1 billion. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), another appropriator, told reporters Thursday he expected the White House to issue an emergency spending request “in the coming days.” It would represent a “rough estimate” of the cost, which he did not venture to estimate himself. Building bipartisanship: Sarbanes, who’s retiring after this Congress, said his priority for the delegation is to make clear to colleagues that rebuilding this bridge has national implications. “The Maryland delegation will be moving in lockstep with each other,” Sarbanes said. “We are going to present this as a nationally prioritized project that is in the public interest of the country to address, and address in as timely and robust a way as we possibly can.” Trone said the Maryland delegation plans to request a meeting after recess with Speaker Mike Johnson to emphasize the importance of getting funding to Maryland to rebuild a bridge. “We operate here as Americans, not whether you live in a blue state or a red state, and I hope the Speaker Johnson will understand that and be sympathetic,” Trone said. That spirit of bipartisanship was thrown into doubt Thursday when Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) said in a Fox Business interview that it was “outrageous” for Biden to suggest “that he’s going to use federal funds to pay for the entirety.” (Read more from Anthony on the rising tensions.) Rep. Andy Harris, the sole Republican in the Maryland delegation, said in a statement after the collapse that he thinks the state should cut the red tape in order to get the bridge replaced as soon as possible. “It is important that both the state and federal governments work together to immediately reduce the environmental and regulatory burdens that would hinder the rapid reconstruction of the Key Bridge,” he said. — Daniella Diaz   GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE.     GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, March 28, where we hope D.C. warms up soon! BUCK: BOEBERT MAKES ‘SANTOS LOOK LIKE A SAINT’ Former Rep. Ken Buck had apparently made recent comments about Rep. Lauren Boebert that ticked off her conservatives allies — a dustup that might’ve played a role in his recent expulsion from the House Freedom Caucus. In an interview with Buck last week, he wouldn’t share with us what he’d said about his fellow Colorado Republican — who is running to replace him in November — only saying it was likely related to something he said at a local Rotary Club meeting. She’s accused him of trying to hurt her campaign by leaving Congress early, since Buck’s decision triggered a special election that she can’t run in without giving up her current seat. But his comments at that Rotary Club meeting were recorded and recently aired on a local conservative radio talk show. And we’ve got the audio. What Buck said: “I've been asked about her moving across the mountains to run in the Fourth Congressional District. And I have not said anything … I've been asked about her husband, who's facing charges for child abuse felony charges. I have not said a thing about that. I've been asked about her son who's facing 22 criminal charges. I have not said a thing about that. I've been asked about her groping a man in a movie theater, and then giving the finger to every single police officer on her way out. I have not said a word about that.” “She makes George Santos look like a saint,” he concluded, prompting audible laughs at the meeting. Backstory: “The Dan Caplis Show” aired the audio during an interview with Boebert, asking her about those remarks. The audio was flagged for us after we reported that Buck’s remarks back in Colorado had caused heartburn among some in the House Freedom Caucus, ahead of the vote to remove him from the group. Publicly, House Freedom Caucus members said his ejection was related to his poor attendance record, but we’ve heard otherwise. What he told us about Boebert on Friday: “I went through a list of issues that I have not responded to that the press has asked me about. And I wasn't going to respond to that issue about her raising money off of me leaving, and somehow the motive for me leaving being to hurt her chances in the Fourth” Congressional District. Boebert’s response on the radio interview: She called Buck “irrelevant,” an “embarrassment to Colorado,” and “selfish” for resigning early from his term and leaving his district without representation for months. Plus, she seemed to add of her public groping scandal: “I think it's been made very clear that I didn't slip the finger to anyone, certainly police officers.” — Olivia Beavers WHAT’S NEXT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE When Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) announced she plans to not run for re-election, she said she wasn’t concerned about her seat staying blue. One day later, a former top aide to Kuster announced he will seek the seat his old boss is leaving behind: Colin Van Ostern, who was the 2016 nominee for governor of the state. He kicked off his campaign Thursday and emphasized his elected experience as a former New Hampshire Executive Council member and a businessman. In an interview, Van Ostern acknowledged the district’s competitiveness. “I think that this is a swing district,” he said. “And this seat has swung back and forth between the parties over the years.” He also declined to be ideologically pigeonholed and said “there are probably some issues that I have more conservative or more liberal positions than any particular member of Congress or national politician,” though he also signaled support for a public health insurance option, a longtime progressive goal. Kuster hasn’t yet made an endorsement in the race, though she and Van Ostern maintain close ties. He praised Kuster as a friend and a mentor and said he’d been texting with her this week. “I would love to win her endorsement,” he said. The seat could be at play in November, though Democrats are a heavy favorite. President Joe Biden won it by nine points in 2020, and Kuster has won re-election by comfortable margins in recent cycles, too. Another name to watch: Former New Hampshire Executive Council member Andru Volinsky, whom we’ve heard could also make a play — Daniella Diaz, Nicholas Wu and Lisa Kashinsky   YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics.      HUDDLE HOTDISH The New Dems are now making reels. A bipartisan Senate gang wants the administration to remember that potatoes are an exemplary vegetable. Katie Britt is doing The Voice again. QUICK LINKS  RNC weighs limiting NBC’s access at this summer’s convention, from Alex Isenstadt House GOP says when it will send Mayorkas impeachment articles to Senate, from Jordain Carney, Ursula Perano and Olivia Beavers TOMORROW IN CONGRESS The House will convene at noon for a pro forma session. The Senate is out. FRIDAY AROUND THE HILL Crickets. TRIVIA WEDNESDAY’S ANSWER: Timothy Yehl correctly guessed first that Franklin D. Roosevelt established Camp David as “Shangri-La,”, which was from a popular novel from the time “The Lost Horizon.” TODAY’S QUESTION, from Timothy: Since today is opening day, who was this first President to attend a major league baseball game and where? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Inside Congress. Send your answers to insidecongress@politico.com. GET INSIDE CONGRESS emailed to your phone each evening. Follow Daniella on X at @DaniellaMicaela.   Follow us

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