The House Freedom Caucus proves once again they're never going to let a chance to take advantage of a disaster go to waste.
The House Freedom Caucus signaled Friday that they're open to giving federal funds to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, but they have a few significant conditions.
The conservative hardliners' caveats include: They want the Biden administration to reverse course on its pause on new export terminal permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and for any spending to be fully offset by cuts elsewhere. Notably, Speaker Mike Johnson had recently floated a proposal to link long-stalled Ukraine aid with easing that same energy policy. [...]
While federal funding to help rebuild the bridge has gotten bipartisan backing, the Freedom Caucus' position shows the challenges ahead as Congress mulls its response. Johnson wouldn't necessarily need those votes to pass a spending bill, assuming widespread Democratic support, but he could be wary of further angering his right flank, particularly with a pending effort to boot him from the speakership.
And it's not just Freedom Caucus Republicans who've cautioned against a hasty federal response to the Baltimore tragedy. Many GOP lawmakers have urged that officials exhaust existing federal pots of money before considering new spending.
Here's more from The Hill:
The conservative group released its position shortly before President Biden was scheduled to travel to Baltimore to visit the site of the collapsed bridge, which fell last week after being struck by a cargo ship.
When delivering remarks about the bridge collapse last week, Biden said “it’s my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort.”
Shalanda Young, the director of the Office and Management and Budget, reiterated that position in a letter to top lawmakers Friday, asking that Congress authorize “a 100 percent Federal cost share for rebuilding the bridge.”
“This authorization would be consistent with past catastrophic bridge collapses,” Young added. [...]
It remains unclear when Congress will begin consideration of funding to rebuild the bridge. Members who represent Maryland are asking that the request is quickly considered. The House and Senate reconvene next week.
If it passes it will be because Democrats bail out Speaker Johnson once again.
