Michigan lawmakers are aiming to get a deal for Flint done by the November elections, possibly through a water infrastructure bill that passed the Senate Thursday.
Democratic Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters celebrated the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 Thursday by an overwhelming 95-3 vote. Included in that bill is a $220 million deal to help cities such as Flint, a city of 100,000 where residents cannot drink their tap water without a filter due to lead contamination.
The senators said the House will take up its version of the bill, which doesn’t include Flint funding, next week. Peters said they’re hopeful the huge Senate majority vote will provide enough momentum for the lower chamber to work quickly to pass its version.
“In this town, when you have momentum, you have to keep pushing on that momentum,” he said.
The bill funds 29 Army Corps of Engineers projects worth $4.5 billion that lawmakers already have authorized and would spend another $4.8 billion on water infrastructure updates throughout the country.
The package also would make $100 million available to any state experiencing a drinking water emergency, provide $70 million to back secured loans to upgrade clean water and drinking infrastructure, and authorize $50 million in funding for health programs to address and prevent the effects of lead exposure.
It would be paid for by ending an advanced vehicle program in the Department of Energy popular among Michigan lawmakers.
While it’s possible that Flint funding could get attached to a continuing resolution that keeps the government funded or a possible omnibus budget at the end of the year, the Water Resources Development Act is seen as the most likely vehicle for the funding.
The House version of the bill authorizes about $5 billion worth of water infrastructure projects. Stabenow said the House plans to take the bill up next week.
“We want to get this done before the Congress breaks again for the election,” she said. “That’s what we’re aiming for and that’s what we’re pushing for the House to do.”
Rep. Dan Kildee, Flint’s Democratic congressman, called on House Speaker Paul Ryan to bring up his chamber’s version of the Water Resources Development Act as soon as possible.
Kildee said he is open to working with any lawmaker, Democrat or Republican, to figure out a solution for his hometown.
“It is incumbent on Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s bipartisan leadership and support Flint families using any available avenue,” Kildee said in a statement. “Throughout the crisis, I have worked closely with my Democratic colleagues and engaged with Republican leadership to help Flint. It is time for Congress to step up and help the people of Flint.”
While Stabenow and Peters would like to see the House pass the Senate’s version of the bill, it seems more likely that the chambers will have to figure out a compromise in conference, should the House pass its version.
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., who was one of the main authors of the legislation, said on the Senate floor Thursday that he had heard some House members wouldn’t vote for their bill without help for Flint. He tried to assure them that Flint funding would be a top priority in the conference committee.
Stabenow said the message sent by Inhofe and California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who helped shape the legislation with Inhofe, should be enough to get her Democratic colleagues on board.
“They have indicated they will not approve of a final bill without Flint funding in it,” Stabenow said. “So, that’s a very strong message.”
