Bipartisan Flint Aid Bill Has Some Momentum In Congress

The U.S. Senate is considering bipartisan legislation that would send more aid to Flint, MI, to address the city’s water infrastructure challenges that resulted in a public health crisis.

“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took the first procedural step towards advancing a $9.4 billion waterways bill,” which contains Flint aid along with unrelated programs, The Hill reported.

In what may represent the last chance to move a major water infrastructure bill through this Congress, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes waterway projects around the U.S., according to the report. It was approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in April. The legislation contains millions in assistance for Flint.

“The legislation identifies $4.5 billion worth of water-related infrastructure projects and authorizes $4.9 billion for drinking and clean water infrastructure over five years,” the report said.

“The measure also provides $220 million in direct emergency assistance to address drinking water crises in communities such as Flint, where water from the Flint River corroded the city's pipes, contaminating the water supply with lead. The Flint component would be paid for by cutting funds from the Energy Department’s Advanced Vehicle Manufacturing Technology loan program,” it continued.

Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-OK, supports the legislation.

“We’re back now and we have an opportunity to do some things,” he said, per the report. “If we get on that, this is going to be a thing that’s a benefit for everybody.”

The Michigan legislature is also considering legislation to help Flint, WTOL reported:

The Flint water crisis could become a focus for a near-$1.6 billion endowment created through the overhaul of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The state Senate will vote Thursday on legislation adding "public health emergency" to specific purposes for which the Michigan Health Endowment Fund can spend money. A 2013 law modernizing Blue Cross requires it to contribute $1.56 billion over 18 years.

Researchers at Virginia Tech, who were among the first to call out the lead crisis in Flint, say the water is improving but remains unsafe to drink without a filter, according to The Roanoke Times.

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