DETROIT – The Senate has approved a $10 billion water projects bill that includes $100 million for Flint, nearly a year after a public health emergency was declared there because of lead-contaminated water.
More: Senate approves bill for water projects; millions for Flint
Recommended Videos
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) announced the Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by a vote of 95 to 3. The measure will go before the House before it can be sent to the President for his signature.
If it passes the House and President Obama signs off on it, the bill would authorize 29 projects in 18 states for dredging, flood control and other projects overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers.
For Flint, the agreement provides $100 million in new federal funding to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. According to Stabenow and Peters:
The State of Michigan can access these funds after submitting a comprehensive plan to the EPA. This funding will only be available to a community, like Flint, that received a federal emergency declaration by the President due to a public health threat from high amounts of lead in drinking water. These funds can be accessed after the State of Michigan and the City of Flint submit a comprehensive plan to the EPA.
Stabenow and Peters released these statements Thursday:
“After months of working intensely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to overcome opposition, I am extremely pleased that the Senate has finally passed urgently needed help for families in Flint,” said Senator Stabenow. “Today’s passage is an important reminder to the nation that the crisis in Flint is far from over. Today families still cannot drink the unfiltered water that comes out of their faucets! Now, our colleagues in the House need to act as quickly as possible. It's also essential that the State of Michigan fully meet their responsibilities to solve the water crisis.”
“Flint residents have been living with contaminated water for far too long and are still relying on bottled water and filters for drinking, cooking and bathing,” said Senator Gary Peters. “I am pleased the Senate came together to pass this bipartisan, fully paid-for legislation to provide much-needed support for Flint families. I urge my colleagues in the House to swiftly pass similar assistance to help Flint and other communities across the country make critical investments to upgrade their aging water infrastructure. While the federal government can and should help Flint recover from this ongoing crisis, the State of Michigan must step up with sustained, long-term support for the people of Flint.”