Congress proposes $250 million for Flint, other cities with water crises

In addition, Democratic Sens.

Concerns about drinking water have spread to communities across the country in the wake of the lead contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, as government leaders wade in to assess water quality in their jurisdictions and reassure residents. James Inhofe, R-Okla., would authorize $100 million in emergency aid to fix and replace the city’s lead-contaminated pipes, as well as $70 million in loans to improve its water infrastructure.

Cruz and at least one other GOP senator objected to a quick vote on the deal, delaying Senate consideration of the bill until at least next week.

A Cruz spokesman says staffers “are simply reviewing the bill right now”, noting that the proposal only emerged on Wednesday. The city was under state management at the time.

Earlier this week the governor announced his office will release thousands of his staff’s emails dating back to when he took office in 2011 related to Flint’s lead-contaminated water crisis.

Water was not properly treated to keep lead from pipes from leaching into the supply.

An agreement would resolve – for now – an increasingly partisan response to the water crisis in Flint, as Democrats press for swift help for a majority African-American city of 100,000 and point to the past, rapid response of Republicans to natural disasters in Texas and Florida.

It was discovered the Flint River water had high levels of iron and contained lead from the connecting pipes.

A public health practitioner and University at Buffalo alumna based at the University of Michigan-Flint will provide a front-line perspective on the many facets of the Flint water crisis during a talk February 29 at UB.

Reports about high levels of lead in Flint’s drinking water exploded in the media a year ago, sparking calls for the resignation of Mr. Snyder and other officials, several investigations and lawsuits.

Hillary Clinton said there are a “lot of Flints” and that she wants to help them.