IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1141 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government should recoup monies from the responsible parties to compensate 

taxpayers for certain damages resulting from the allision of the cargo 

shipping vessel the Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 

26, 2024, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 12, 2024 

Mr. VAN DREW submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

the Federal Government should recoup monies from the 

responsible parties to compensate taxpayers for certain 

damages resulting from the allision of the cargo shipping 

vessel the Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on 

March 26, 2024, and for other purposes. 

Whereas, on the morning of March 26, 2024, an international container ship named the Dali, traversed the Patapsco River on its way from Baltimore Harbor to Sri 

Lanka; 

Whereas, at 1:24 A.M., the Dali suffered a total power failure and loss of control, and three minutes later struck a 

critical support pylon of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, 


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•HRES 1141 IH 

resulting in the catastrophic collapse of the entire bridge 

structure; 

Whereas, the Francis Scott Key Bridge accident resulted in 

loss of life, substantial damages to public infrastructure, 

disruption of the domestic supply chain, and subsequently 

a financial burden on taxpayers; 

Whereas, it is necessary for companies involved in maritime 

activities to adhere to strict safety standards and protocols to prevent accidents and mitigate risks to public 

safety and infrastructure; 

Whereas, Congress has a duty to protect the interests of the 

taxpayers and promote accountability in corporate actions, and that taxpayer dollars should be allocated towards efforts that safeguard the interests and well-being 

of taxpayers, not for the compensation of losses incurred 

due to accidents and disasters caused by private entities; 

Whereas, the compensation for the losses incurred from the 

Francis Scott Key Bridge accident should be borne by 

the entities directly responsible for the incident, in accordance with principles of corporate accountability and 

liability; 

Whereas, the application of general average principles, which 

distribute costs among stakeholders, could play a significant role in allocating financial responsibilities related to 

the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, reflecting the 

complexities of maritime law and industry practices; 

Whereas, President Biden has stated the intention for the 

Federal Government to assume responsibility for covering 

the reconstruction costs of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, 

with estimates surpassing $600,000,000, highlighting the 


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magnitude of the financial burden this would have on 

taxpayers; 

Whereas, all reconstruction costs, in addition to any additional liabilities related to personal damages or national 

economic damages should be reimbursed to taxpayers 

through the insurance of the corporate firms accountable 

for the voyage and its consequences; and 

Whereas, Congress should direct the relevant committees to 

monitor the progress of the investigations and legal actions related to the Francis Scott Key Bridge accident 

and to take further legislative action if necessary to safeguard taxpayer interests: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, 

2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Francis Scott Key 

4 Bridge Disaster Taxpayer Reimbursement Resolution’’. 

5 SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 

6 It is the sense of the House of Representatives that 

7 the Federal Government should recoup monies from the 

8 responsible parties for all human, economic, and physical 

9 damages that resulted from the catastrophic allision of the 

10 cargo shipping vessel Dali with the Francis Scott Key 

11 Bridge on March 26, 2024. 

Æ 


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