Francis Scott Key Bridge

Floor Speech

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Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Mfume and my colleagues from Maryland for organizing this Special Order hour.

I bring heartfelt condolences from Chicagoland. Next to me is a picture of the six men who died in this accident. They were doing construction work on the bridge as it collapsed. All six of them were immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala: Dorlian Cabrera, Miguel Luna, Maynor Sandoval, Alejandro Fuentes, Carlos Hernandez, and Jose Lopez.

Like far too many immigrants, they encountered tragedy working in the country they came to seeking a better life. Immigrants keep our country moving. Immigrants power our economy, but immigrants are more than just their labor. Latinos are disproportionately in high-risk jobs like construction, and we cannot wait for tragic accidents or death to recognize immigrants' humanity.

Therefore, as we rebuild the Key Bridge, we must also advocate for stronger workplace protections for all workers, including immigrants, regardless of their status.

Rebuilding the Key Bridge is a national imperative. There is precedent for the Federal Government footing the bill in situations like this, and, as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will fight to make sure that this happens. After all, the Key Bridge has regional, national, and international significance.

Mr. Speaker, my thoughts are with the families of those who perished working on the bridge. My thoughts are with the people of Baltimore and Maryland.

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