US Sen. Chris Van Hollen described Tuesday as a "tragic day" in Baltimore during an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer Tuesday evening.
Van Hollen praised workers who stopped traffic after receiving the ship's mayday signal.
"The effort goes on to search for those who are missing," Van Hollen said , but added "the immediate issue besides the search and rescue is opening up that channel."
"I understand there are about four ships in the port that can't get out, I understand there were about 20 ships that were waiting to come in," Van Hollen said.
Van Hollen said there are thousands of workers employed at the Port of Baltimore, and "tens of thousands more depend on what is one of the most vibrant ports in the country, the biggest port for automobiles."
According to Van Hollen, Maryland plans to access the Emergency Relief Fund within the Federal Highway Administration, though that won't be enough to rebuild the bridge — "That will be long and expensive," Van Hollen said.
Van Hollen said he is in communication with his Senate colleagues and plans to work with the House on relief efforts.
"I hope we can move something on an emergency basis," he said. "We hope the country will come together and support Baltimore at this time."