The Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), and the Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA), have scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, April 13, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Flint Water Crisis: Impacts and Lessons Learned."
Members will look to the future as they assess the ongoing drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan, seek a better understanding of drinking water infrastructure issues, and weigh the short-and long-term public health implications. In February, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4470, the Safe Drinking Water Act Improved Compliance Awareness Act, sponsored by Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) by a vote of 416-2. H.R. 4470 would ensure that the public promptly learns of excessive lead levels in their drinking water by setting forth how and when states, EPA, and public utilities communicate their findings. The bill awaits action in the Senate.
Chairman Fred Upton commented, “The entire situation in Flint, Michigan is heartbreaking. But we have a responsibility, working together as Republicans and Democrats, to find solutions to ensure what happened in Flint never happens again. We will carefully examine the underlying causes, various public health implications, and potential solutions. I’m not interested in finger pointing; I’m interested in being part of the solution. We need all levels of government to cooperate with each other and focus on what is in the best interest of the people we are privileged to serve."
Full Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) commented, “This hearing is a critical first step in determining how all levels of government are working together to solve this water crisis and provide long-term assistance to the residents of Flint. Flint should serve as a wake-up call that we must invest more to ensure our nation’s drinking water is safe. We must also work in a bipartisan fashion to address the widespread problems of elevated blood lead levels in children throughout the nation. This is a major public health challenge, and this Committee must examine what policies and resources are needed to better support federal lead poisoning prevention and surveillance programs."
Committee Timeline:
* Jan. 15, 2016: Bipartisan committee leaders request urgent EPA briefing on drinking water in Flint, Michigan;
* Feb. 3, 2016: Upton & Pallone demand further information from EPA & state of Michigan on Flint Water Crisis;
* Feb. 10, 2016 : House passes Kildee-Upton bill, H.R. 4470, the Safe Drinking Water Act Improved Compliance Awareness Act;
* Feb. 19, 2016: EPA responds to February 3 letter;
* Feb. 29, 2016: MDEQ responds to February 3 letter; and,
* March 22, 2016 : Chairman Upton questions EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy on drinking water infrastructure issues during an EPA budget hearing.as they are posted. Related Items
* Letter to EPA Administrator McCarthy on Flint Drinking Water
* Upton, Bipartisan Committee Leaders Request Urgent EPA Briefing on Drinking Water in Flint, Michigan
* Upton & Pallone Demand Further Information From EPA & State of Michigan On Flint Water Crisis
* Letters to EPA & MDEQ Regarding Flint Water Situation
* Upton Kicks Off Debate on Bipartisan Legislative Response to Drinking Water Crisis in Flint, Michigan
* Letter from EPA Regarding Flint Drinking Water Crisis
* Letter from MDEQ Regarding Flint Drinking Water Crisis
See Also
* #SubHealth, #SubEnvEcon Joint Hearing Examines Drinking Water Crisis in Flint, Michigan
