Replace Lead Pipes

Floor Speech

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Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, it has been 2 years since the people of Flint were able to turn on their faucets and get clean water, and Congress has not acted to help the people of Flint. That is a travesty and an injustice, and the issues since then have gotten even worse, not just for the people of Flint, but across America.

Multiple reports indicate that now at least 29 States have issues with lead in their drinking water. We need an investment for infrastructure that is not only going to help people no longer get poisoned, but also create new jobs.

That is why, on the House Budget Committee, I introduced an amendment to increase, by over $3 billion, the funding to the State's Clean Water Revolving Fund to help local municipalities upgrade and replace lead pipes. There is now new technology such as plastic PVC pipes that do not leach lead that are safe. They are less expensive.

Cities and municipalities and States across the Nation should be investing in plastic pipes to deliver lead-free water to our residents. It is my hope that Congress acts on this soon.

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