Legislative Update

Friends,

We had a busy week in Congress - read my legislative highlights below. If you'd rather watch this week's legislative update, click here.

Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Hearing: Francis Scott Key Bridge

My heart goes out to the families of everyone harmed or killed in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. This was a disaster and impacted anyone who relies on goods being transported out of the Port of Baltimore. The bridge must be rebuilt, but how we pay for it is important.

During the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's hearing on the subject, I questioned Biden administration officials on their plan. They said Biden administration plans use 100% federal funding to rebuild the bridge. But for years, the Francis Scott Key Bridge has a toll that has driven funds into the state of Maryland and will do so again once the bridge is rebuilt. The federal government will never see a dime of this future toll revenue as repayment.

Our Nation is $35 trillion in debt. Expecting Taxpayers across the Country to pay $1.9 billion for a toll bridge that generated $56.8 million in 2023 alone shows the extreme financial irresponsibility of the Biden administration.

Americans struggle to afford gas, daycare, groceries, and everyday expenses. It is inappropriate to force them to pay for a bridge that tolls have already funded.

National Police Week

perry with police

During National Police Week, we honored the heroes who uphold the law and keep us safe. The unprecedented attacks and calls for defunding from the Biden administration radical Left have put our law enforcement officers at greater risk.

I will always stand with our men and women in blue. This week I voted in favor of 8 bills to support our law enforcement as they deal with the consequences of an open border and tackle campus riots, gang violence, and the chaos plaguing America over the past three years.

To every law enforcement officer who keeps our communities safe, thank you.

Response to the Biden Administration Faltering on Israel Support

President Biden flip-flopped in his support of Israel yet again. Meanwhile, Hamas used armed terrorists to fire on U.S. funded aid shipments into Gaza from UN vehicles. This happened just after the UN moved closer to recognizing the so-called state of Palestine. In addition, the Biden administration has withheld intelligence on the whereabouts of Hamas leadership that will unfortunately lead to more civilian casualties. President Biden cannot ‘have Israel’s back’ and conceal the location of the very people who want to destroy her.

I previously supported proposals to provide for Israel the necessary munitions and the military hardware that Israel needs while its at war. We even passed the Israel Security Assistance Support Act this week to force the Biden administration to deliver this aid.

Congress passed laws with aid for Israel. President Biden signed legislation into law. Israel needs the equipment in the aid to win their war, and the Biden administration must deliver.

News Coverage

Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., asks if federal government could recover toll money for construction

Pennsylvania Capital Star - May 15th

He asked if the federal government could recoup toll money collected on the bridge when it reopens. “I hope you would consider a plan to reimburse the taxpayer under horrific debt right now, who can’t afford their groceries, their gas bills, their day care bills, for the cost of this bridge, for which one state has been receiving all the money for its entire existence, and apparently is going to receive all the money from the tolls for the rest of its existence,” Perry said.

Lawmaker questions use of Key bridge tolls

Land Line - May 15th

Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., directed the question at Shailen Bhatt, who is the administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. “I wonder if you think it’s fair that the American taxpayer should not only pay to reconstruct the bridge but then pay tolls after which to use the infrastructure they just paid for in their taxes,” Perry said. “Is there some plan to recoup that and send that back into the disaster relief fund or the highway fund, which continually needs massive infusions from the general fund just to stay afloat? What’s the plan?”

Federal leaders testify on efforts to clear and replace collapsed Baltimore bridge

KATV - May 15th

“The relief fund is $3.7 billion behind. We're $35 trillion this month in debt at the federal level, and I wonder if you think it's fair that the American taxpayer should not only pay to reconstruct the bridge, but then pay tolls after which to use the infrastructure they just paid for in their taxes,” said Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa.

Legislative Updates