House Democrats are praising an agreement reached late Tuesday that will allow a vote on legislation to provide Flint, Mich., $170 million in federal aid to help restore a clean water supply — a deal that might also help ease Senate passage of a bill to fund the government past Friday.
Republican leaders late Tuesday agreed to let Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., offer a Flint aid amendment to a House water resources bill that the House is considering today. If lawmakers pass the amendment, Flint would receive the aid in the form of grant money to deal with lead-contaminated water.
Over in the Senate, Democrats have been pushing to put federal aid for Flint in a must-pass government spending bill, which they have refused to support so far despite a Sept. 30 deadline.
Senate Democrats on Tuesday said they might accept the water resources path, but were eager to see if the House GOP majority would allow Kildee’s amendment.
Kildee also praised the agreement.
“Today’s vote is a step forward to ensuring that Flint families get the resources they need to recover from this crisis,” Kildee said. “The people of my hometown have waited over two years for their government to help them in their time of need. We will continue to fight until Flint aid reaches the president’s desk.”
