Sen. Gary Peters noted that while the responsibility of giving long-term support to affected families in Flint primarily lies with the state of Michigan, city residents have waited far too long for federal assistance.
“For nearly a year, Senator Stabenow, Congressman [Dan] Kildee and I have fought to secure emergency assistance while many families in Flint are still living on bottled water and dealing with the negative health effects of this tragedy,” said Peters, who also helped champion the WIIN Act. “I am pleased that Congress has finally followed through on the promise made to Flint residents and approved funding to help the city of Flint replace its lead-tainted pipes.”
In addition to funding for Flint, the bill also contained a last-minute provision providing drought relief in California. Earlier this month, environmentalists expressed concern that the added measure would jeopardize funding for lead-stricken Flint.
According to The Detroit News, California Sen. Barbara Boxer vehemently opposed the bill — a bill she helped write — calling it “ridiculous.”
“You take a beautiful bill like [the Water Development Resources Act] … and then you put a pile of dirt on top of it … and then you stick a little Maraschino cherry on top, which is Flint and a couple of other good things,” Boxer said on the Senate floor Friday before the time-sensitive water bill was passed. “And then you say, ‘OK, eat the dirt.’”
Despite that small bump in the road, passage of the WIIN Act early Saturday gave Flint Mayor Karen Weaver and other supporters of repairing the city’s water crisis good reason to celebrate.
“Although we have waited far longer for this help than expected, we are grateful to the Senate and the House for providing the assistance that will help Flint residents deal with this unprecedented health crisis and gain a brighter future,” Weaver said in a statement.
Article Appeared @http://atlantablackstar.com/2016/12/12/senate-finally-approves-170m-funding-to-help-clean-up-the-mess-state-of-michigan-created-in-flint/