Investing in A New Vision for the Environment and Surface

Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I want to start by wishing our friend and colleague Senator Lindsey Graham a speedy recovery. Yesterday, Senator Graham shared that he had tested positive for COVID-19. We are all relieved to hear his symptoms are mild, and we look forward to seeing him back in the Chamber once he recovers.

I hope everyone at home follows Senator Graham's example by getting vaccinated. In Senator Graham's words, ``[W]ithout vaccination, I am certain I would not feel as well as I do now.''

The Delta variant is no joke. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are surging across America, and they are surging the most in those parts of the country where large numbers of people are unvaccinated.

Over 90 percent of the most recent infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are among people who were not vaccinated. The good news is, vaccinations are starting to trend upward. Thanks to the leadership of the President and the urging of many health professionals, as of yesterday, it has been reported that 70 percent of adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. That is an important milestone. Our Nation is slowly, slowly headed in the right direction, but we need to pick up the pace.

Experts say that more than 80 percent of the population needs to get vaccinated before we can start anticipating herd immunity. So please listen to my friend Senator Graham's advice and get vaccinated. It will save your life as well as the lives of those you love. DC Metropolitan Police Department

Mr. President, on another matter, yesterday we received word that a fourth police officer who responded to the January 6 insurrection here in the Capitol has died by suicide.

Officer Gunther Hashida was a member of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, and he was a hero. I also want to note that hours after Officer Hashida's death was announced, the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that another officer, Kyle DeFreytag, died by suicide last month.

As we all witnessed last week, many of the Capitol and Metropolitan Police officers who defended us--defended us--and the Capitol on January 6 are still grappling with the physical and emotional trauma of that day. We have to do everything we can to support them, from providing access to mental and emotional support to ensuring that everyone who bears responsibility from the January 6 insurrection is held accountable. It is my understanding that 600 people have already been charged with wrongdoing for what occurred on that day, and many more will be charged.

The supplemental funding package that the Senate passed last week was a good starting point. To deny what January 6 was about is literally adding insult to injury for those officers--brave officers--who defended us. They deserve better. They deserve justice, and we deserve the truth.

To the friends and families of Officers Hashida and DeFreytag, we are so sorry for your loss. We grieve with you. We will honor their memory.

To all of the other police officers and National Guard members who defended the Capitol on January 6, despite what you hear from some of the politicians in Congress, we thank you, and we appreciate your valor and your sacrifice.

Earlier this morning, Senators Klobuchar and Blunt introduced a bipartisan resolution to award these heroes the Congressional Gold Medal. I am proud to support that effort. Clean Water Infrastructure

Mr. President, on one more topic, ``forever chemicals.'' It is a phrase that sounds ambiguous and ominous. Some of these pollutants-- known as PFAS chemicals--are used in cleaning supplies, stain-resistant clothing, cosmetics, polishes, waxes, and the kind of foam that firefighters use to fight fires.

And although they have their practical applications, these ``forever chemicals'' present a major problem: They don't go away. They don't break down. Once they are introduced into the environment, they stick around forever.

A growing body of research suggests that ``forever chemicals'' are linked to a whole host of human health complications: cancer, kidney disease, liver damage, birth defects. Sadly, it is estimated that most people already have trace amounts of these chemicals in their bodies. But imagine if you or your children were forced to ingest these toxic ``forever chemicals'' multiple times a day, every day. That is the dangerous reality for many American families. I am sorry to report that includes thousands of families in my home State of Illinois.

On Friday, the Chicago Sun Times published a story on the presence of these chemicals in water systems in the Chicago area, Lake Forest, Waukegan, and South Elgin. Water system managers in these areas have found enough evidence of chemicals that the Illinois EPA is calling for further testing. That additional testing is just in the preliminary stage.

As I mentioned, these contaminants are impressively imperishable, and they are being found everywhere. As an example, a few years ago, a dairy farmer in Maine discovered that one of these ``forever chemicals'' had seeped into his farmland through a fertilizer that he used. He only found out because the chemicals were showing up in the milk of his cows. He ended up having to shut down his dairy farm that had been in the family for generations. He had to destroy his dairy herd, and he lost his savings.

If these contaminants are too dangerous for a dairy farm, too dangerous for cows, they are certainly too dangerous for our kids. We must protect our communities and families from ``forever chemicals'' immediately.

Unfortunately, eliminating this public health threat is proving challenging. For one, in Illinois, it is not clear where it came from. According to the Sun Times article, ``among the water system managers contacted by the [newspaper], none of them could identify the culprit causing the contamination.''

The Environmental Working Group has identified more than 1,700 potential sources in my State, from sewage treatment facilities to landfills. The culprit could be any one or a combination. As of now, there is no definitive answer. In other words, the analogy is, an arsonist is still running through the forest, and the only signs are the trees he leaves burning.

The other difficulty in meeting this public health threat is that it costs money. As we all learned from Flint, MI, repairing and replacing the entire city's drinking water system is no small task. Municipal officials throughout my State are still waiting on State officials to provide guidance, as well as funding, to remove these ``forever chemicals'' from their water system.

But when it comes to protecting our children's health and well-being, solutions cannot wait, and States like Illinois cannot address this threat on their own. Pending before the U.S. Senate at this moment is the bipartisan infrastructure deal. This deal is good for us, good for America, and starts to address this problem.

This historic bipartisan plan will make our Nation's largest ever investment in clean water. That investment includes $10 billion for addressing the ``forever chemical'' challenge and other emerging contaminants from drinking water and wastewater systems throughout America. That is a big deal. It is estimated that more than 200 million Americans--nearly two-thirds of this country's population--could be drinking ``forever chemicals'' in their tap water.

With the bipartisan infrastructure deal, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are coming together as we should, to help ensure every family in America has access to clean and safe drinking water. Because the infrastructure package will also invest billions of dollars to replace dangerous decaying lead service lines throughout the country, it is a game changer. It is a game changer for the city of Chicago, which I am proud to represent in my home State of Illinois.

You see, there is no acceptable level for lead consumption--none, zero. Much like ``forever chemicals,'' lead service lines that hookup the water main in the street to your home, business, school, daycare center--these lead service lines can cause lasting harm to the growing bodies and minds of our kids. And, as lawmakers, we have an obligation to correct the mistakes made by previous generations of Americans.

I understand that until about 35, 40 years ago, lead service lines were mandated in construction in Illinois--in my State--in some areas. We made a mistake. Now we know it. What are we going to do about it? This bill addresses this.

I want to thank my colleague, Senator Tammy Duckworth. When it comes to water infrastructure, she is just leading the pack in the U.S. Senate. She really cares about this, as a Senator, for sure, but equally important as a mom with two lovely little girls.

We can establish a new, healthier foundation for future generations if we pull together. That is exactly what this bill will do. Marshaling the resources of our Federal Government so that all of America's kids can grow up and lead healthy, productive lives, that is what bipartisanship is all about. And I look forward to joining my colleagues in voting in favor of this bill in the next few days.

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