Biden on Baltimore bridge collapse: 'Federal government will pay for entire cost' of reconstruction

President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that the federal and state government partners will "rebuild" the Baltimore bridge together following its collapse after a ship hit one of its support beams.

"We're going to rebuild that port together," Biden said at the White House during a news conference. "We're going to get it up and running again as soon as possible."

Biden said his administration is going to work "hand-in-hand" to support Maryland with "whatever they ask for" during the process of reopening the bridge.

"I've directed my team to move heaven and earth to re-open the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible," he said.

Biden said he plans to work with Congress to pay for rebuilding the bridge.

"It is my intention that the federal government will pay for entire cost of reconstructing that bridge," he said. "I expect the Congress to support my effort."

He told the reporters the rescue mission to locate each individual impacted by the tragedy is still underway.

Biden said he intends to get to the site of the collapse as soon as possible.

A reporter asked Biden if the companies that own and operate the ship that caused the collapse will be held accountable. In response, the president said the government is not going to wait for that process to play out.

"We're not going to wait for that to happen. We're going to pay for it to get the bridge rebuilt and opened," Biden said.

Synergy Marine operated the ship and the Grace Ocean Private Ltd. is the owner. Those companies have reportedly been sued in the past.