Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge could be 45 feet taller when rebuilt, according to preliminary renderings from the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).  In August, the agency submitted an application to the U.

It was a promise President Biden made the same day that the Key Bridge and six Marylanders fell into the Patapsco River - the federal government would foot the bill for rebuilding the Key Bridge. Now,

Members of Maryland's congressional delegation have been working to secure 100% federal funding to cover the nearly $2 billion in estimated reconstruction costs for the bridge.

Pleas were made in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, explaining why funding for Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction and Small Business Administration loans are critical.

President Joe Biden asked Congress to fund the rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge “at 100 percent Federal cost share.”

Disaster programs are running dry, which could have impacts on the timeline for the Key Bridge rebuild, according to the testimony. "This funding request covers the entire backlog from Helene, to Milton, to the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement to dozens of other disasters," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

A huge chunk of the Key Bridge rebuild cost - 90% - was already promised in emergency relief funding, but now even that could be in jeopardy as federal disaster relief funds dry up.

Hours after Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed last March, President Joe Biden pledged that the federal government would pay for its entire replacement. The president and Congress are now attempting to fulfill that promise.