Factbase Transcripts

Joe Biden

Neutral

00:00:00-00:00:06 (7 sec)

"Hello, folks. Sorry to keep you waiting. I was waiting to talk to the last member of the delegation in the region." 1

Joe Biden

Negative

00:00:06-00:00:16 (10 sec)

"Good afternoon. Before I leave for North Carolina, which I'm going to do in a few minutes, I want to speak briefly about the terrible incident and accident that happened in Baltimore this morning." 2

Joe Biden

Negative

00:00:16-00:00:35 (19 sec)

"At about 1:30, a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which I've been over many, many times commuting from the state of Delaware either on a train or by car. I've been to Baltimore Harbor many times. And the bridge collapsed, sending several people and vehicles into the water -- into the river." 3

Joe Biden

Neutral

00:00:35-00:01:00 (25 sec)

"And multiple U.S. Coast Guard units, which are stationed very nearby, thank God, were immediately deployed, along with local emergency personnel. And the Coast Guard is leading the response at the port, where representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, the FBI, the Department of Transportation, the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as Maryland officials and Baltimore Police and Fire -- they're all working together to coordinate an emergency response." 4

Joe Biden

Somewhat Positive

00:01:00-00:01:17 (17 sec)

"Officials at the scene estimate eight people were unaccounted for still -- not still, were unaccounted for. That number might change. Two have been rescued -- one without injury, one in critical condition. And the search-and-rescue operation is continuing for all those remaining as we speak." 5

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:01:17-00:01:29 (11 sec)

"I spoke with Governor Moore this morning as well as the Mayor of Baltimore, the County Executive, United two -- both United States senators and the congressman. And my Secretary of Transportation is on the scene." 6

Joe Biden

Neutral

00:01:29-00:01:39 (10 sec)

"I told them we're going to send all the federal resources they need as we respond to this emergency, and I mean all the federal resources. And we're going to rebuild that port together." 7

Joe Biden

Very Negative

00:01:39-00:01:48 (9 sec)

"Everything so far indicates that this was a terrible accident. At this time, we have no other indication -- no other reason to believe there was any intentional act here." 8

Joe Biden

Leans Positive

00:01:48-00:02:04 (16 sec)

"Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel, as you all know and have reported. As a result, local authorities were able to close the bridge to traffic before the bridge was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives." 9

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:02:04-00:02:18 (14 sec)

"And our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for the news of their loved one right now. I know every minute in that circumstance feels like a lifetime. You just don't know. It's just terrible." 10

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:02:18-00:02:24 (5 sec)

"We're incredibly grateful for the brave rescuers who immediately rushed to the scene." 11

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:02:24-00:02:37 (14 sec)

"And to the people of Baltimore, I want to say: We're with you. We're going to stay with you as long as takes. And like the governor said, you're Maryland tough, you're Baltimore strong, and we're going to get through this together. And I promise: We're not leaving." 12

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:02:37-00:02:58 (20 sec)

"Here's what's happening now. The search-and-rescue operation is our top priority. Ship traffic in the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice. And we'll need to clear that channel before the ship traffic can resume. The Army Corps of Engineers is on the spot and is going to help lead this effort to clear the channel." 13

Joe Biden

Slightly Positive

00:02:58-00:03:22 (25 sec)

"The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation's largest shipping hubs. And I've been there a number of times as a senator and as a vice president. It handled a record amount of cargo last year. It's also the top port in America for both imports and exports of automobiles and light trucks. Around 850,000 vehicles go through that port every single year, and we're going to get it up and running again as soon as possible." 14

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:03:22-00:03:29 (7 sec)

"Fifteen thousand jobs depend on that port. And we're going to do everything we can to protect those jobs and help those workers." 15

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:03:29-00:03:49 (20 sec)

"The bridge is also critical to -- for travel, not just for Baltimore but for the Northeast Corridor. Over 30,000 vehicles cross the Francis Scott Key Bridge on a daily basis. It's virtually th- -- well, it's one of the most important elements for the economy in the Northeast and the quality of life." 16

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:03:49-00:04:10 (21 sec)

"My Transportation Secretary is there now. As I told Governor Moore, I've directed my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as hu- -- humanly possible. And we're going to work hand in hand with the support of Maryland -- to support Maryland, whatever they ask for. And we're going to work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support it needs." 17

Joe Biden

Somewhat Positive

00:04:10-00:04:19 (9 sec)

"It's my intention that federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect to -- the Congress to support my effort." 18

Joe Biden

Neutral

00:04:19-00:04:29 (10 sec)

"This is going to take some time. And the people of Baltimore can count on us, though, to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt." 19

Joe Biden

Neutral

00:04:29-00:04:35 (6 sec)

"You know, we're not leaving until this job gets done -- not leaving until then." 20

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:04:35-00:04:47 (12 sec)

"So, I just want to say God bless everybody who -- everyone harmed this morning and their families. And may God bless the first responders, who -- many of whom risking their lives." 21

Joe Biden

Very Positive

00:04:47-00:04:59 (12 sec)

"And I'm going to -- the reason I'm not going to take a lot of questions -- there's remaining issues that are open that we got to determine what's going to happen in terms of -- of the rescue mission and the like. But I'll -- I'm --" 22

Question

Neutral

00:04:59-00:05:02 (3 sec)

"Do -- do you plan to go to Baltimore, sir? And if so, how quickly?" 23

Joe Biden

Neutral

00:05:02-00:05:04 (2 sec)

"I do and as quickly as I can. That's what we're working on --" 24

Question

Leans Positive

00:05:04-00:05:13 (9 sec)

"You said the federal government is also going to pay for the repairs. I'm just curious -- this was a ship that appears to be at fault. Is there any reason to believe that the company behind the ship should be held responsible?" 25