Contaminated Water in America

Floor Speech

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Mr. TED LIEU of California. Thank you, Representative Garamendi, for your work on clean water and for highlighting this issue in Flint, as well as in communities across America.

I sit on the Oversight Committee. On February 3, we held a hearing on the Flint water crisis. Based on the information presented, it is clear to me that what happened in Flint was a crime of epic proportions. Tens of thousands of women, children, and men were poisoned when lead leached from lead pipes into the drinking water. Those who were most responsible know who they are. They should resign. Some of them should be prosecuted.

We need to make sure that we do what is right for the residents of Flint, as well as other communities across America, and make sure this never happens again. It is clear that this is not an issue just in Flint, but the problem with toxic water is an issue across our Nation.

Washington, D.C., had elevated levels of lead in 2000. Sebring, Ohio, now has elevated levels of lead. And there was a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2011 that showed 19 cities had toxic issues with their drinking water.

There are a variety of solutions. First of all, we need to fund the CDC lead abatement program that had been cut by the Republican legislature in 2002. We need to restore funding and fully fund that program.

We need to also make a strong investment in improving our water infrastructure. I sit on the Budget Committee. I will be putting in amendments to make sure that we increase funding to water infrastructure across America.

And we need to look at alternatives to lead pipes. An article in Salon noted that we have many cities across America now using PVC pipes, also known as plastic pipes, as an eco-friendly alternative.

Canadian and American cities have had success with these pipes. They last longer than metal pipes, over 100 years. They do not corrode. They do not leach, and they do not contain lead.

What is happening in Flint, they are looking at a short-term solution, which is to recoat their lead pipes. I believe that is not acceptable. I believe the Governor needs to come in and replace all the lead pipes with a nonlead alternative.

The mayor of Flint has called for full replacement. I support that. I know Representative Garamendi and others support that.

I want to give great credit to the great work by Representative Kildee for his constituents in Flint.

I also want to note that if we don't do something now, who knows whether your children or your grandchildren will be poisoned by lead in your drinking water.

It is very important that we make enormous infrastructure investments, and the time to do that is now.

Thank you again, Representative Garamendi, for highlighting this issue.

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Mr. TED LIEU of California. Absolutely.

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Mr. TED LIEU of California. We have various markups coming up. That is correct.

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Mr. TED LIEU of California. Right.

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Mr. TED LIEU of California. You made some very good points. And, as you know, America is the leading economy in the world. Our GDP is greater than the next two countries combined. We certainly have the resources to make sure we don't poison our kids with lead in their water or other toxic material.

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Mr. TED LIEU of California. Thank you for raising that issue. I will absolutely look into it. I am glad you brought it up. So let me look into that issue.

I do want to say something about what Representative Tonko mentioned, which is the hundreds of water main breaks we have daily. That just shows a crumbling infrastructure. In America, in the 21st century, that should not be happening.

What we saw in Flint and we are seeing in other cities across America is a result of disinvestment in our government, in cities and municipalities. You get what you pay for, and right now, we are getting children that are being poisoned with lead. So we need to increase investment.

I will look into the issues you raised, Representative Garamendi. Thank you for highlighting these issues.

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Mr. TED LIEU of California. Thank you. I look forward to working with you and Representative Tonko and others to make sure we invest in America.

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