WASHINGTON — The Trump administration warned Maryland officials not to award contracts based on sex and race in the reconstruction of Baltimore ‘s Francis Scott Key Bridge .

“Any reliance on race- or sex-conscious factors in contracting decisions could introduce significant legal vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in the management of the project,” Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a letter to Gov. Wes Moore on Friday.

The secretary criticized the project’s work plan, arguing that Moore has “prioritized race and gender-based requirements ahead of project completion.”

Democrats in the Maryland congressional delegation responded in a joint statement, noting the bridge project was approved by Congress .

“As we have with other major infrastructure disasters with na

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