Congresswoman Candice Miller just announced that she has introduced a bill, a $1 billion emergency fund, that would pay to replace Flint's lead-laden water pipes.
In many parts of the city, aging underground pipes that lead from the water mains to individual homes were constructed with lead connections. The bill proposed by Miller, a Harrison Township Republican, is designed to replace the underground infrastructure that began to crumble due to corrosive Flint River water, resulting in unsafe lead levels in the tap water.
Here is a statement by Miller:
“As our entire country is now painfully aware, because of an epic failure of government at every level -- the local level, the state level, and the federal level -- the citizens of Flint, Mich., have been drinking contaminated water for almost two years. Especially vulnerable to the high lead levels are a generation of children and babies -- American children and babies -- not from a different country. They are our children who will pay the consequences.
In many parts of the city, aging underground pipes that lead from the water mains to individual homes were constructed with lead connections. The bill proposed by Miller, a Harrison Township Republican, is designed to replace the underground infrastructure that began to crumble due to corrosive Flint River water, resulting in unsafe lead levels in the tap water.
Here is a statement by Miller:
“As our entire country is now painfully aware, because of an epic failure of government at every level -- the local level, the state level, and the federal level -- the citizens of Flint, Mich., have been drinking contaminated water for almost two years. Especially vulnerable to the high lead levels are a generation of children and babies -- American children and babies -- not from a different country. They are our children who will pay the consequences.
“The state of Michigan has acknowledged culpability and is stepping up. However, the federal government, through the EPA, also has some culpability, so it is entirely appropriate for the federal government to step up as well. The underground pipes have been so corroded they will, apparently, continue to pose a threat to the residents of Flint until they are replaced.
“America is a compassionate nation, and when our fellow Americans face a disaster, we always, always step up. After hurricanes like Katrina and Sandy, we spent billions of dollars replacing people’s property. And when wildfires roared through the West destroying people’s property – we stepped up. And in this case, we’re not talking about people’s property that has been damaged. We’re talking about thousands of people – especially children – who have been hurt and continue to be hurt. And Lord knows, we spend billions of dollars helping other countries. As an example, we have spent billions in Iraq and Afghanistan building and improving their infrastructure.
“That’s why, today, I am introducing an emergency supplemental bill to provide $1 billion dollars to be used to replace the water pipes in Flint. And I realize that this is a lot of money. I am well aware of the limited federal resources we have, and I know that getting support for this will be very difficult, so I don’t want to give the residents of Flint false hope. This will be a tough fight, but I believe it is one that is absolutely necessary.
“This might not be a natural disaster caused by Mother Nature, but, make no mistake, it is a disaster and, in so many ways, it so much worse because it is a man-made disaster. I think in my lifetime this may be one of the worst disasters I have ever seen in America.
“There are other things that are happening to the city of Flint because of this, which goes beyond health. The economy of Flint is being impacted. Whether you own a restaurant, or a gas station, or a local 7-11, you are impacted. So the side benefit of investing these dollars is it will also help the local economy, which needs it desperately.
“I consider myself to be fiscally conservative. However, we cannot turn our backs on the citizens of Flint. These are American citizens, American children and American babies, and we must take care of our own.”
Full bill text available here.
Are the feds going to pay the cost of changing those feed lines in every other older community too? There are many Communities not only in Michigan but across the country with lead levels higher than Flint. It isn't the taxpayer's fault that Flint and these other communities....AND HOMEOWNERS, never upgraded the Infrastructure.. Administrations over the years have habitually placed their personal agendas ahead of the needs of the people..
ReplyDeleteIs this another political grand stand by another career politician? What has Miller done in Congress other then vote to support more taxes for obozo and his band of thieves to pocket. Fancy vacations, cover up corruption, support incompetence and treason. Miller has not answered the question - is she going to run for governor? Another grand standing political move. When people vote over and over again for corrupt politicians who appoint corrupt and incompetent bureaucrats that is called insanity. Punish the thieves and thugs who broke the law, but that is impossible because they cover each other's A _ _. Let Flint take responsibility for the results of their greedy votes.
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