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Maryland State House

Built c. 1772-1779, the Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol in continuous use. It was home to the Continental Congress from November 1783 to August 1784, and is the only state house to have served as the nation’s capital.

*The State House is open every day from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., except Christmas and New Years Day. To help make your visit to the Maryland State House more enjoyable, and to provide you with an understanding of its rich and historic past, self-guided tour information is available in the Office of Interpretation on the first floor.

**Please note that security measures are in place at the State House and other state buildings. Picture ID is required for entrance and metal detectors are in operation.

**Specialized curatorial tours of the building and its artwork can be arranged by appointment by calling 410.260.6445. There is no charge for tours, but donations are encouraged to support the interpretation of the building.

Website: https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/home.html

View a copy of the Maryland State House Visitor’s Brochure .

View more information on the Charles Willson Peale painting of Washington, Lafayette, and Tilghman at Yorktown which hangs in the Senate Committee Room.

Visitor Information

Virtual Experiences:

Take a Virtual Tour of the Maryland State House and explore three centuries of legislative history. The Department of Legislative Services has also created a 3D Virtual Tour of the State House .

Virtual Tour Join Kat Spitzer from VisitAnnapolis as she takes you on a tour of the Maryland State House, where she discovers a little history behind George Washington’s resignation as Commander in Chief:

African American Heritage, Annapolis' Golden Age, Preservation, Virtual Experiences

© Grandbrothers/Getty Images/iStock

Maryland State House

The country's oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use, the grand 1772 State House also served as national capital from 1783 to 1784. Notably, General George Washington returned his commission here as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in 1783 after the Revolutionary War, ensuring that governmental power would be shared with Congress. The exhibits and portraits here are impressive and include Washington's copy of his speech resigning his commission. Pick up a self-guided tour map on the 1st floor.

The upside-down giant acorn atop the building's dome stands for wisdom. The Maryland Senate is in session from January to April.

Photo ID is required at the entrance, where you'll pass through metal detectors.

99 State Circle

Get In Touch

410-260-6445

http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdstatehouse/html/home.html

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Maryland State House Tour

Dates available.

See highlighted dates below. Call for future dates and private tours! 410-268-7601

Annapolis PHOTO ID REQUIRED FOR ALL GUESTS AGES 18 & OLDER. Visit our FAQ page for specifications.

Upcoming Dates

Fri 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm

Description

Distinguished as a National Historic Landmark, the Maryland State House is a treasure in the city of Annapolis. Join your period-attired guide on a 75-minute tour to explore one of the most historic and architecturally significant state houses in the nation. From the laying of its cornerstone in 1772 to the present-day meeting place of Maryland’s General Assembly, the building and grounds tell the story of four centuries of state and national history. The Maryland State House is especially notable for being the oldest continuously used legislative building in the country, the place where George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief after the American Revolution, and the place where the Treaty of Paris was ratified. You will also hear about significant Marylanders like Thurgood Marshall, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman.

Departure Location

188 Main Street Annapolis MD, 21401

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Touring the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland

On a recent visit to Annapolis , Maryland, we enjoyed learning all about the history of the state, and significant American history, while touring the State House in the heart of Annapolis.

Annapolis, Maryland was the capitol of America from November of 1783 through August of 1784, the first peacetime capitol and the only state house that served as America’s capitol. It is the oldest state house still in continuous legislative use and was the site of both George Washington’s resignation as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in December of 1783 and the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War in January of 1784.

The original State House was built in 1735 and renovated in 1876-1877, with an annex built in 1905, identified by the black strip of flooring on the first floor. There were significant update in 1940 and an additional, thorough restoration project in 2014. Today, construction continues at the front entrance, in the old Treasury Building, and across the street with the Department of Legislative Services building.  The first floor of the State House remains open to visitors for self guided tours, and several interactive exhibits are engaging for visitors of all ages!

Travel Tips:

• Visitors may take free, self guided tours of the lower level and first floor of the State House every day except Christmas and New year’s Day; check here for up to date hours and information. 
• As of 2023 during construction, visitors must enter through the lower level (door to the right of the main entrance stairs) and go through security and metal detectors. All adults must show picture identification.
• Restrooms are located on each level and there is a small Canteen snack shop on the ground level. For more dining options, check out this list and this list .
• The State House is handicap and stroller accessible.
• Free, two hour parking is available around the State House and on side streets. More information on parking garages here .
• Plan on 60 minutes to tour the State House rooms and exhibits.

Ten Places to Explore at the State House:

• The House of Delegates Chamber : A recreation of the original chamber from 1876, the room is the site of the ratifications of the Maryland Constitution of 1864 and also includes bronze statues of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, heroic native Marylanders.
• The Caucus Room : Part of the original 1779 State House, it is now used for Senate meetings outside of Senate sessions. The room also showcases pieces from the USS Maryland silver service. (red room)
• The Rotunda , built between 1772-1779, with the wooden dome- the largest in North America- added a few years later.  Under the dome is the display of George Washington’s Resignation Speech from December 23, 1783, considered to be one of the most important documents in American history.
• The original Senate Chamber , used from 1779-1905 and now restored to the way it looked when Washington resigned. Make sure to look up in the gallery to see the statue of Molly Ridout, who documented the ceremony.
• The Archives Room, Stairwell Room, and Senate Committee Room which have interactive exhibits featuring Visitors to the Dome and the Treaty of Paris , which ended the Revolutionary Way (one of only 13 copies of the original). The exhibit also includes portraits of individuals who witnessed Washington’s resignation (there were 21 members of Congress present), and heroes and leaders of the Revolutionary War. Also on display are the swords belonging to Lt. Colonel Tench Tilghman, trusted aide to Washington during the Revolutionary War. 
• A rotating exhibit . In 2023, the exhibit is In Freedom’s Name , which honors African American Marylanders in various military battles from the Colonial era through the Vietnam War.
• The Senate Chamber , where 47 senators (1 per district in the state), seated by seniority and political party, convene for 90 days starting in mid January each year through mid April. Check out the Tiffany skylight!
• The House Chamber , where 141 delegates (3 per district in the state), have been convening since 1906. The House Chamber is the largest room in the State House and has a 40 foot Tiffany skylight and portraits of former Speakers of the House. 

Looking for other adventures in Annapolis? Check out our post featuring the Annapolis Maritime Museum and US Naval Academy . And check out our posts featuring the State Houses of Vermont , New Hampshire , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Connecticut , New York , Pennsylvania , Arkansas , Colorado , Wyoming .  And follow along on our adventures on Instagram , Facebook , Pinterest , and Twitter .

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I love visiting historic places and this one looks really interesting.

I love history and Maryland state house in Annapolis looks like a great place to visit for a history lover. The Rotunda and rotating exhibit look interesting.

What a fascinating House to visit and tour around. I love historic buildings and would definitely visit this one if I happened to be in the area

Will have to visit when I head to the northeast!

The last time I was in Annapolis, I didn’t have an opportunity to see the places on your list. I’d like to go back and visit these places.

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Maryland State House

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A political reporter’s best tips for visiting the State House in Annapolis

Budget time for these must-see spots inside a capitol building that’s older than the one in D.C.

Only for about a dozen or so years, off and on, have I walked the marble floors of the State House in Annapolis, chasing down politicians and writing news stories. It’s something I’ll be doing even more of as I cover politics and power in the state capital for The Baltimore Banner. That seems like a long time, but it’s just a tiny blip in the building’s long and storied history.

Generations of journalists, politicians, lobbyists and citizens have searched for answers to the state’s myriad problems in the historic domed building for nearly 250 years. The State House is so old — the cornerstone was laid in 1772 — that it actually predates the current structure of the United States government and stands as the oldest state capital building in continuous use in the nation.

It’s easy to be singularly focused on covering the hustle and bustle of state government. But every so often I pause to remind myself how fortunate I am to work in a building with so much history. (Even as I curse the weak public Wi-Fi signal.)

One of the beautiful things about the State House, besides its actual architectural beauty, is that it’s free and open to the public seven days a week. And while there are excellent paid tours offered by private companies, you can soak up State House history for free all on your own.

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Here are some things you need to know when visiting the State House:

First, you’ve got to get there

Annapolis is a 45-60 minute drive from Baltimore, depending on where you start and when you’re going. The best parking is at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Ave.) for just $5 followed by a free shuttle ride downtown.

You can also try your luck at parking garages including the newly renovated Hillman Garage (150 Gorman St. off of Duke of Gloucester), Gott’s Garage (25 Northwest St.), the Whitmore Garage (37 Clay St.) and the Knighton Garage (a little farther away at 1A Colonial Ave. off West Street).

For those without a car, the MTA’s Route 70 bus line runs between the Patapsco Light Rail Station to the intersection of Calvert and Bladen streets near the State House. Definitely plan ahead: Riding the full length of the route can take nearly 90 minutes.

Since the State House is a functioning government building, you’ll need to show a photo ID and go through security screening. The building is open daily from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day when it is closed. Visitors can enter on the Lawyers Mall side of the State House.

Pro tip: Instead of climbing the massive set of steps that leads to the first floor entrance, use the ground floor entrance to the right of the steps. Unless you like the exercise.

You can see your politicians at work

From early January through mid-April, Maryland’s 188 state lawmakers are in session in Annapolis. They consider thousands of bills and pass a $60 billion-plus budget that’s funded with tax dollars.

This is the time to watch them in action from balconies, accessed from the second floor above the House of Delegates and Senate chambers. During the first half of the 90-day legislative session, lawmakers hold “floor sessions” in their chambers most mornings. As the session progresses, the floor sessions get longer and are held more frequently.

Lawmakers also hold public committee hearings and voting sessions in office buildings just down the street during session. If you want to make your voice heard in person on a specific proposal, this is where public testimony is taken during bill hearings.

Want to spot a lawmaker outside of the State House? You might catch them picking up lunch at Potato Valley Cafe on State Circle or having a drink in the evening at Galway Bay on Maryland Avenue.

The governor and lieutenant governor also work in the State House, but their second floor offices are understandably tightly guarded and you’re less likely to see them.

Pay your respects to Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass

The newest additions to the State House are also the most striking. Just before the coronavirus swept into Maryland in 2020, the State House unveiled life-sized statues of abolitionist heroes Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass.

The statues are located in the Old House Chamber on the first floor, which has been restored to appear as it did in the 1800s. There’s no evidence that Tubman ever visited the State House, but Douglass did at least once, in 1874, when he recited General George Washington’s speech resigning from the Continental Army. (More on that later.)

The statues, sculpted by StudioEIS, are striking. They sit directly on the ground — no pedestals — so visitors can walk right up to them and look into the eyes of the likenesses of Douglass and Tubman. It’s remarkable to think about all of the power and bravery that Tubman packed into her not-quite 5-foot-tall body.

Visit Gen. Washington

Across from the Old House Chamber is, fittingly, the Old Senate Chamber. This room served as not only the home of the Maryland Senate, but also of the Continental Congress when it met in Annapolis from November 1783 until 1784.

The room was restored to its 1780s appearance and reopened in 2015. It features a statue of Gen. George Washington, who resigned his military commission in that very room on Dec. 23, 1783. And weeks later, in January 1784, Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris in that chamber, officially ending the Revolutionary War.

It was that decision by Washington to resign from the military that laid the foundational principle that the young nation would not be governed by a military leader, but rather by a civilian. And as you know, Washington later became the first president of the United States in 1789. An original copy of Washington’s resignation speech is on display just outside the Old Senate Chamber.

Washington’s resignation also is depicted in a massive oil painting by Edwin White that hangs over the grand staircase between the first and second floors of the State House. The painting was first hung in 1859 and was restored in 2014.

Watch out for construction

Approaching the State House complex, it might appear that the whole place is under construction and inaccessible. But fear not, you can still check out the workings of state government if you’re willing to endure the not-so-pleasant sights and sounds of construction.

The State House has been the focus of a multiyear, $49 million renovation project. First, the dome was restored.

Now the State House itself is currently encircled in fencing and shrouded in protective fabric as crews work on many levels of scaffolding to repair brickwork and masonry, restore windows, replace roofing and repair cornices. They’re also repairing a retaining wall around the the building, making two entrances compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and improving landscaping, lighting, walkways and ramps.

The best way into the State House is to approach from Lawyers Mall and look for gaps in the fencing that direct visitors up the grand steps to the first floor, or through the ground-floor entrance to the right side of the steps.

On another side of Lawyers Mall, another crew is building a new Department of Legislative Services building and making repairs to underground tunnels between the various state buildings. That work is expected to continue through the end of 2024.

So much more to see

The State House is something of a living museum, full of art and artifacts. Here are a few more things to look for when visiting.

• Fossils in the floor: Look closely at the ground under your feet. The black marble tiles in the newer section of the building feature fossils that, according to the Maryland State Archives, date back millions of years.
• The dome up above: Look up at the State House dome and marvel at the fact that it’s the largest wooden dome of its kind in North America. While the building was constructed between 1772 and 1779, the current dome wasn’t built until 1785-1794. The dome looks better than ever after getting badly needed repairs and a face-lift, work that was completed just before Gov. Wes Moore was sworn into office in January 2023.
• An even older building outside: The Old Treasury Building is a small brick building that sits on the lawn between the State House and Maryland Avenue. Built in 1735-1737, it’s the oldest public building in Annapolis, which is a very old city. The Old Treasury Building hasn’t been used in years and is currently fenced off, but there are plans to restore it to its 18th-century appearance and eventually open it to visitors.
• Exercise your First Amendment rights: On the “back” side of the State House (the “front” side faces the water) is Lawyers Mall, the focus of free speech activity in the capital city. The recently renovated plaza has more room for gatherings; heated tiles to keep your feet warm on cold nights; and an imposing statue of Thurgood Marshall, the U.S. Supreme Court justice from Maryland. Throughout the year, but especially during the legislative session, Lawyers Mall is the site of protests, rallies and press conferences. It’s also a lovely place to eat lunch on a warm day.

This article, first published in 2022, has been updated.

Pamela Wood

[email protected]

Pamela Wood covers Maryland politics and government. She previously reported for The Baltimore Sun, The Capital and other Maryland newspapers. A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, she lives in northern Anne Arundel County.

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Art & the Maryland State House

History is the Maryland State House’s biggest lure for visitors. Fine art is easily overlooked when standing under the great dome of the only state house ever to have served as the US capitol.

George Washington Comes to Town

When you’re soaking in the aura of the restored Old Senate Chamber where Congress received George Washington’s resignation as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, your mind initially is on things other than art.

My awakening to art in the State House occurred while standing next to the life-sized statue of Washington. I was peeking over his arm imagining I was reading his speech while he was giving it when it dawned on me that the statue was beautiful.  As I looked around the chamber as Washington must have done, I spotted a statue of a woman. Washington would have seen the real person, Molly Ridout, in the gallery. Both statues were made by StudioEIS, in New York City.

I also noticed the beautiful wood trim below Molly.  It is a restoration based on original drawings such as this one.

Detail of original State House interior design. Photo courtesy of Yale University

A mural in the Senate Committee Room by artist Kevin Woest (2014) depicts the resignation ceremony, including its various attendees.

Portraits and Peales

Not surprisingly, much of the art in the State House is portraiture. One of America’s most respected portrait artists, Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827), a native Marylander who lived in Annapolis for several years, painted at least 60 portraits of George Washington. A portrait of Peale by Adrian Lamb is in the Senate Committee Room.

Peale painted at least six of the portraits in the State House.  One of the most well-known is in the Senate Committee Room and commemorates Britain’s surrender at Yorktown.

Another highly regarded Peale painting hangs in the Old Senate Chamber. Peale donated this portrait of William Pitt to Maryland to be displayed in the State House. The painting contains symbols that represent Pitt’s dedication to the American cause.

Peale fathered a large family of Maryland artists and naturalists. A portrait of Washington by Peale’s son Rembrandt is in the Governor’s Office.

The Earliest Days of Maryland

A number of the paintings in the State House portray the colony at its earliest stages, such as the portrait of George Calvert in the Governor’s Reception Room painted by the Dutch artist Daniel Mytens the Elder in about 1630. Although Calvert, an Englishman, never came to Maryland, his petition for a grant of land north of the Potomac River led King James I to authorize the creation of the colony in 1632.

Artist Frances Blackwell Mayer (1827- 99), who was born in Baltimore and spent most of his life in Annapolis, painted two key events in the colony’s history. Both hang in the Old House of Delegates Chamber. The Planting of the Colony of Maryland commemorates the landing of the colony’s first settlers in 1634.

The Burning of the Peggy Stewart depicts Annapolis’s equivalent of the Boston Tea Party. When the owner used the ship to bring in British-taxed tea in 1774, a mob forced him to set fire to his own ship as punishment.

Odds and Ends of Art

The bust of Benjamin Franklin in the Archives Room was made Jean-Jacques Caffieri (1725-1792) in Paris. Franklin liked it so much that he ordered copies for friends and family.

Bust of Benjamin Franklin. Photo courtesy of Maryland State Archives.

In 1796, the Maryland Senate commissioned noted Annapolis cabinetmaker John Shaw to provide furniture for the chamber, which remained in use there until around 1840.

In 1906, Marylanders donated $5,000 to purchase a silver service for the new cruiser  Maryland . Made by Samuel Kirk and Sons of Baltimore, the set depicts scenes from Maryland's counties and Baltimore City. Four pieces of the service are now on the submarine  USS Maryland ; the rest is on display in the State House Caucus Room.

For more information on art in the State House (there’s a lot more than what is described here), the Maryland State Archives offers a comprehensive guide you can view here . If you tour the State House , you’ll see that each piece is well labeled and described.

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Visit The Maryland State House: The Oldest State House Still In Use From The Colonial Period

The Maryland State House was born in the Revolutionary Period and was the site of some of the most defining moments of the formation of the USA.

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The history of the maryland state house & its role in the birth of the usa, what to know about the maryland state house today, what to know about visiting the maryland state house.

There may not be a lot of reasons to visit Annapolis as a tourist, but one reason to visit is to see the Maryland State House. While the Maryland State House may not be the oldest state house still standing, it is the oldest one in continuous legislative use. The Maryland State House was born in a time of monumental change, with construction commencing at the twilight of the Colonial Period.

This is one of the best places to learn about the Revolutionary Period of the genesis of the United States. Other excellent places to learn about the Revolutionary Period include the Boston Freedom Trail in Boston , the largest outdoor living museum of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia .

The Maryland State House finds itself in one of the many towns that offer a window into the past . The building's construction began in 1772, and in 1783-84, it served as the capitol building of the United States Congress of the Confederation (the forerunner to the United States today bound by the Constitution). It was also significant as it was where Ratification Day occurred. It was where the American War of Independence officially happened with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris brought peace between Great Britain and the United States and saw their border with British North America, which would go on to become Canada. Today, only Article 1 of the treaty, which recognizes the United States as a free, sovereign, and independent state, remains in force.

It is the only state house to serve as the nation's capital. For a time, Annapolis was a candidate to become the permanent capital of the United States. It is here where the Continental Congress met in the Old Senate Chamber, and it is here where George Washington came before Congress to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Its construction wasn't completed until 1797 as construction was (understandably) delayed by the Revolutionary War.

• Built: 1772-1792

Despite its age, the Maryland State House is the third statehouse to be built on the site. It is a two-story building constructed in the Georgian style. The large dome has a lightning rod that was built and grounded according to the specifications of Benjamin Franklin (its inventor).

Notable Events At The Maryland State House

• George Washington Resigned From The Continental Army
• Meeting of The Congress Of The Confederation
• First Capital Of The Country
• Ratification Of The Treaty of Paris (Formally Ending The Revolutionary War & Recognizing The Independence Of The United States)
• Temporary Capital of The United States

Sometimes it is amazing just how much things change over time. It was originally surrounded by a low brick wall to prevent cattle incursions (perhaps a less than-likely occurrence in today's Annapolis).

Related: Guide To New England's Most Important Revolutionary War Sites

Today, the Maryland State House continues to house the Maryland General Assembly and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The Maryland General Assembly convenes in the State House for three months every year from January to April. While it remains a functioning legislature, the public is also welcome to visit.

The historic building has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark since 1960.

The building is administered by the State House Trust, which also oversees the maintenance and preservation of the structure. They are also responsible for use of the public areas of the building.

The Maryland State House is a key part of visiting Annapolis and seeing how it is a picturesque town teeming with history . The Maryland State House offers a glimpse into the capital of the United States before Washington D.C. was built.

Related: Saratoga National Historic Park: Visit The Turning Point Of The Revolutionary War

The Maryland State House is open to the public and is open every day of the year (except Christmas and New Year's Day). There is self-guided tour information available in the Archives Room on the first floor.

• Maryland State House Opening Hours: 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
• Days Open: Every day (except Xmas and New Years)

There are security measures to access the building, and a picture ID is required.

There are two guided tour options for groups - one is a LIVE Group Virtual Visit and the other is a Group In-Person Tour. The guided Group In-Person Tour is around 60 minutes long and includes a visit to the Maryland State House and the Thurgood Marshall Memorial. Alternatively, there is a 90-minute guided tour to the Senate and/or House Office Buildings and explores more of the complex. To submit a request for a tour, fill out the In-Person Group Tour Request Form . The Visitor Program group tours are offered only on weekdays, and they need to be reserved in advance. Note that a two-week advance notice is requested for the tours.

Those who cannot visit in person should consider taking a virtual tour around the Maryland State House for the next best thing.

Md. leaders seek Baltimore bridge money Biden promised on Capitol Hill

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) launched an in-person lobbying effort in Congress on Tuesday, aiming to fulfill President Biden’s vow to replace Baltimore’s collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.

He will return to further press his case later this week, as more than 12,000 tons of steel and concrete from the wreckage still blocks the main shipping channel for the Port of Baltimore and strangles a key economic artery for the region .

“I’m going to Capitol Hill because I want to meet with them face-to-face and have them hear from me and the delegation directly as to why this is so important, not just to the state of Maryland, but why this is so important to the country,” Moore said in an interview.

“I want to be able to spend time with members of Congress to explain to them that in this moment, they have a responsibility — a patriotic responsibility — to make sure that we can get the bridge rebuilt,” he said.

Moore’s in-person lobbying is part of a multipronged effort that involves the Biden administration and all 10 members of the Maryland congressional delegation, including its lone Republican, Rep. Andy Harris.

Funding could face obstacles from some congressional Republicans, even though such aid has been approved on a bipartisan basis in the past. The conservative Freedom Caucus to which Harris belongs, for example , conditioned federal aid on several factors, including cutting the federal budget elsewhere, limiting how the money could be spent, and tying it to the Biden administration’s policies on liquefied natural gas export terminals.

“Tragedy knows no partisanship,” Harris said during a rare appearance with the nine Democrats who represent Maryland with him. “It wasn’t a Republican tragedy, it wasn’t a Democrat tragedy. And the solution won’t be a partisan solution.”

The cost to rebuild the 1.6-mile span could exceed $1 billion , though leaders were reluctant to put a price tag on it Tuesday. And some members hope federal help will go even further.

The federal government already sent Maryland $60 million in emergency aid and repurposed an existing $8 million federal grant to aid economic recovery.

A massive container ship, the Dali, lost propulsion and veered into one of the bridge’s main supports two weeks ago. Six construction workers tasked with filling potholes were on the bridge when it collapsed about 1:30 a.m.

So far, the bodies of three victims — Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes , 35; Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera , 26; and Maynor Suazo Sandoval , 38 — have been recovered from the Patapsco River , authorities said. Three others are still missing, and federal and state leaders reiterated Tuesday that finding the bodies is the top priority.

The federal government, through the Army Corps of Engineers and Coast Guard, is paying for the recovery of the workers and to remove the jumbled steel and concrete superstructure of the bridge.

The steel trusses sitting atop the Dali weigh 5,000 tons, the equivalent of 12 fully fueled Air Force One jets, Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, who is overseeing the Army Corps operation, said at Tuesday’s news conference. An additional 9,000 tons of steel and 3,000 tons of concrete are blocking the shipping channel, he said. In the past two weeks, 51 divers have been in the water to help.

The Army Corps of Engineers aims to open a “limited access” shipping channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of the month that will accommodate 80 percent of the cargo that flows into the Port of Baltimore. Pilots who will operate ships cruising through the salvage area will be specially trained at a facility in Vicksburg, Miss., later this week, Spellmon said.

“We have to start moving more and heavier debris to find the missing workers and also to reopen this strategic port for the nation,” Spellmon said.

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) convened the closed-door meeting Tuesday morning that included the governor, the delegation and Biden administration officials from the Office of Management and Budget, Transportation Department, Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers.

He said afterward that he will introduce legislation “very soon” aimed at covering the full cost of the bridge, though future appropriations will be needed to replenish the fund used for the bridge. Other members of the delegation suggested that Maryland could need additional federal resources to support workers who could lose their jobs or see their wages cut because of the bridge collapse.

Harris did not answer questions about whether he will help lobby for those additional resources.

Cardin repeatedly sought to allay concerns that the government was footing the bill for a man-made accident. He said that the state’s leaders will seek insurance and other liability payments from those responsible for the accident, which is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Attorneys for the companies that own and manage the Dali argued in legal filings in federal court that they were not to blame for what happened, and they asked a judge to excuse the companies from any liability or to cap damages at $43 million, which is the cost of the vessel minus damage and salvage.

Cardin argued that recovering money from those responsible was critical and that those funds will go to reimburse the taxpayers.

“We will not delay as liability is established,” he said Tuesday.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg agreed, saying that “it is our expectation that the federal taxpayer will be made whole, but we do not want that to get in the way.”

Several congressional Republicans have signaled a willingness to help. Sen. John Neely Kennedy (R-La.) on Monday said that he was in favor of approving additional federal aid but that it was a “fair question” to try to resolve insurance liability for the bridge’s collapse before Congress acts.

“I think healthy skepticism is fine. We need to look into this and make sure that the taxpayers’ money is spent wisely,” Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) said. “But I think the overall sentiment in the Senate would be that we need to do what we need to be back up and functioning. This can happen any place throughout the country, in each state, and there is a limit to what local or regional folks can do, the state can do.”

Later Tuesday, Moore signed into law legislation that will increase the state’s $430 in weekly unemployment benefits for those workers, and allow eligible participants to not claim those payments on their state taxes for the next two years. The legislation also provides scholarships for the children of the men killed when the bridge collapsed.

State nonprofit groups and businesses — including the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens — have donated millions of dollars to support the families of the six workers killed during the bridge collapse, first responders, and employers and workers affected by the disaster.

But Maryland workers could need additional help, said Rep. David Trone (D), who is running for the Senate in the May 14 primary.

“We’ve got to keep thinking about those that have lost wages,” he said. “Our longshoremen, our small-business men … guess what? $430 a week in unemployment ain’t gonna cut it. A special fund by the state, maybe $600 a week, that’s not gonna cover it. They’ve still got mortgages to meet, food to put on the table, so we need an all-of-government effort not to just let that slip through the cracks.”

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Four takeaways from Biden’s visit to Baltimore bridge crash site

The president repeated his pledge for the federal government to pay for the total bill of rebuilding the structure — “all of it,” he said.

“I call on Congress to authorize this effort as soon as possible,” Biden said. “My vow is that we will not rest … until the cement is dry and the entirety of a new bridge” is built.

Biden said a top priority of the federal response is to reopen the Port of Baltimore “as quickly as possible.”

He announced $8 million for upgrades to a former steel mill called Sparrows Point, which has been refurbished into an industrial facility that can handle a few cargo ships at a time. Those dollars are intended to ensure it can “take on more ships,” he said.

He also predicted the entire shipping channel on the Patapsco River would be reopened “by the end of May.”

“We’re coming back,” he said. “And we’re coming back soon.”

‘Temporary channel’

Among the lawmakers present during Biden’s visit was Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen, one of the most vocal critics from inside Biden’s party about his handling of Israel’s conduct of its war in Gaza.

The duo was face-to-face Friday, though focused on domestic matters.

Van Hollen and other Democratic senators last month wrote to Biden, urging him to enforce a U.S. law banning foreign aid to countries deemed to be blocking humanitarian aid. In recent weeks, White House officials have publicly accused Israel of doing just that.

Ahead of Biden’s visit, Van Hollen tweeted that “a temporary channel is expected to open as soon as the end of this month & the main channel by end of May.”

That could allow the Port of Baltimore to, at least partially, reopen.

Van Hollen spoke before Biden, crediting the president and his administration for “working with all levels of government to get it done.”

Van Hollen said Biden has stressed helping the people most impacted by the crash. “I’m so proud we have the president back in Baltimore,” he said. “I’m sorry about the circumstances.”

The state’s senior senator, retiring Democrat Benjamin L. Cardin, spoke through heavy wind, saying “we are already planning to rebuild the bridge.” He expressed the importance of doing so, saying the state has undergone a considerable hike in the size of its automobile population in recent years.

‘Largest port’

Joining Biden on Marine One for the aerial tour of the crash site was Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. He was in the presidential motorcade Friday as Biden was driven from Martin State Airport Landing Zone in Middle River, Md., to nearby Dundalk, which is adjacent to the fallen bridge.

And Moore stood beside Biden, just off the president’s left shoulder, as he delivered remarks.

The 45-year-old governor is dealing with his first major state crisis since taking office in January 2023. The matter has given him a national profile as political analysts begin to imagine a party post-Biden.

Even before Biden departed the White House, Moore was continuing to push his message, which he has at times directed at spending-skeptical Republican lawmakers that port closure is “not just something that’s impacting Baltimore.”

“The port of Baltimore is responsible for $70 billion annually,” he told MSNBC. “We are looking at a port that is the largest port for agricultural equipment, the largest port for new cars, the largest port for heavy trucks, the largest ports for spices and sugars.

“This is impacting the farmer in Kentucky. It’s impacting the auto dealer in Ohio,” he added. “It’s impacting the restaurant owner in Tennessee. It’s impacting the entire country and our economic growth.”

Speaking before Biden, Moore said leaders are “doubling down on their commitment to this city and this state.” He said he had secured the assurances that impacted businesses have agreed to retain workers, rather than laying them off to reduce costs while their profits are down. Moore also touted economic aid his administration has made available for affected individuals and businesses.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, also a rising Democratic star, praised Moore’s role since the Dali rammed into the bridge.

Buttigieg said lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic supply chain disruption “are working here,” but he did not offer estimates for when the bridge might be cleared nor when construction on a replacement could begin. Nor did he say when officials think the port might be reopened.

‘Abandoning Israel?’

The presidency means juggling multiple crises.

Foreign and domestic.

Biden appeared to dismiss the notion that his pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to alter course in Gaza means he is abandoning Israel. When asked by a reporter if he was doing just that, Biden responded as he was leaving the White House: “Is that a serious question?”

“I asked them to do what they’re doing,” Biden said, apparently referring to Israel’s decision to allow increased aid into Gaza.

U.S. officials are still examining whether Israel has made adequate changes to its procedures for selecting and engaging targets in the enclave, a senior official said Friday morning.

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Politics | maryland leaders take key bridge funding fight to washington to rally congressional support.

WASHINGTON — In the halls of the U.S. Capitol where they’ll have to convince members of Congress to fully fund the Francis Scott Key Bridge cleanup and rebuild, Maryland’s top elected leaders said Tuesday they’re optimistic about their lobbying efforts to pass a cost-covering bill with bipartisan support.

President Joe Biden has pledged for the federal government to foot the bill for the entire response. His administration has already approved Maryland’s request for an initial $60 million as well as access to a roughly $1 billion account holding emergency relief funds.

Congress, though, must give approval to ensure Maryland taxpayers alone aren’t on the hook for 10% of what could easily reach at least several hundred million dollars. Republicans in the far-right Freedom Caucus have threatened that effort, with a statement Friday putting conditions on the money.

“This is a commitment that is normal for this type of a catastrophic loss of a major infrastructure in our country,” U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin said behind a sign reading “Maryland Strong” on the two-week anniversary of the Key Bridge collapsing into the Patapsco River.

Cardin, a Democrat set to retire at the end of the year , has drafted legislation to remove the state cost-sharing requirement that will be formally introduced this week or next.

Underscoring the mostly Democratic Maryland delegation’s push to get the bill through the narrow GOP majority in the House, Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Harris — a Freedom Caucus member who represents the Eastern Shore — stood alongside Cardin and others to say he was committed to a “bipartisan solution.”

He said there is currently “no debate about cost-share” and that “Maryland should not have to bear a part of the cost.”

“Tragedy knows no partisanship. This wasn’t a Republican tragedy. It wasn’t a Democrat tragedy and the solution won’t be a partisan solution,” Harris said.

Democratic Gov. Wes Moore , who attended the meeting and press conference Tuesday at the Capitol, told The Baltimore Sun in an interview Monday he’d been in touch with Harris about speaking with his colleagues in the Freedom Caucus. He said he was also firming up plans to speak with Republican leadership directly and would not hesitate to personally lobby Freedom Caucus members.

“I plan on going anywhere and everywhere to plead our case,” said Moore, whose next trip to the Capitol is slated for Thursday.

The Freedom Caucus statement Friday — on the same day as Biden took an aerial tour of the bridge site and doubled down on his pledge to pay for the response — said officials should seek “maximum liability” from the shipping companies before approving additional funds. The money should also be limited to physically rebuilding the bridge and should be additionally contingent on Biden lifting a pause on liquified natural gas exports, the statement said.

Cardin and others stressed that finalizing any liability claims could take years.

“That process will not delay the immediate moving forward with the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” Cardin said. “We will not delay until liability is established. And once the liability is established and funds are received, it will go towards the taxpayers.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who’s become the Biden administration’s most public-facing official on the incident, joined the meeting Tuesday. He said ongoing federal efforts to reopen the port, deal with supply chain implications, plan for bridge rebuilding and manage surface transportation issues are just a few examples of why the emergency relief funds must be available “at a healthy level.”

“It is our expectation that the federal taxpayer will be made whole but we do not want that to get in the way,” Buttigieg said.

Maryland taxpayers, meanwhile, will likely pay for some costs. After the meeting in Washington, Moore and his staff rushed to Annapolis, where the governor signed the Protecting Opportunities and Regional Trade, or PORT, Act that state lawmakers fast-tracked in the final two weeks of the annual session .

The law allows Moore to pull $275 million from state “rainy day” funds for programs providing economic relief to workers and businesses that rely on the partially closed port. It also sets up a scholarship program for the children of the six construction workers who died when the bridge collapsed.

Leaders in the Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard, who also briefed the elected officials in Washington, have set a goal to return the Port of Baltimore to regular operations by the end of May and to open a smaller channel by the end of April.

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