Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

Floor Speech

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Chair, I would like to thank so much the subcommittee chairperson, Mr. Bishop, for allowing me this time.

My amendment is part of the en bloc, and it deals with wastewater treatment.

No person in America and living in this country should be allowed to not have adequate plumbing. This is why I have introduced an amendment asking the USDA to prioritize our ongoing efforts to address failing septic systems in rural communities.

Approximately 20 percent of Americans are responsible for the installation and maintenance of their own sewage disposal systems, which isn't provided by their municipalities or their county government. At least 200,000 families live in homes that lack a sewage system altogether.

We offer little assistance to people who live in unincorporated areas to have basic water and sewer. Rural communities across this country struggle with this issue.

Just this week, I read lots and lots of articles that dealt with the failure of those folks in rural communities to have adequate sewage systems.

This amendment is part of a multiyear effort to address this once and for all for all Americans.

Last year, my bill, the Rural Septic Tank Access Act, was included in the farm bill.

Madam Chair, I thank Chairman Bishop and his staff for allowing me to speak on this underlying en bloc bill today.

In fiscal year 2018, we secured an additional $1.8 billion in rural wastewater funding with the help of Congressman Aderholt.

Madam Chair, again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for this en bloc amendment.

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