Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government should recoup monies from the Synergy Marine Group and Maersk Line Limited 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.

Bill: 118-hres-1116
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]
Introduced: 2024-04-05
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Latest action: action_date: 2024-04-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Summaries:

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1116 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 5, 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 Synergy Marine Group and Maersk Line Limited 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, 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, the responsibility for the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster lies with Synergy Group, the Singaporean company that chartered the vessel, the charterers of the vessel including Maersk Line, and the insurance providers associated with the vessel, who should bear the financial costs resulting from the accident, as they are accountable for the voyage and its consequences; 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 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

That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Government should recoup monies from the Synergy Marine Group and Maersk Line Limited for all human, economic, and physical damages that resulted from the catastrophic allision of the cargo shipping vessel Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.