Flint Funding

Floor Speech

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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, it is our job here in Congress to support communities in crisis.

It has been a year since we learned about the lead-contaminated water in Flint. It is way past time to act, Mr. Speaker.

We are here to call on our Republican colleagues to do their job and to address the urgent needs of the people of Flint. We have to consider funding a bill that will take care of the needs of the people in Flint.

This crisis happened when Governor Snyder ripped democratic rights away from the people of Flint and tried to run the government like it was a business. The State made decisions in the name of fiscal responsibility, but when it comes to people's health, the government should not be run on the cheap with people's health.

Funding from Congress can help Flint replace corroded pipes, support health and education assistance for kids exposed to lead, and deliver economic development opportunities for the community.

Earlier this year, I traveled to Flint with Representative Kildee and 25 other of my colleagues to hear directly from the people. Mr. Speaker, here are a few of the things that they said:

One woman spoke about the loss of dignity she felt while waiting in line just for water, and many others gave us important stories which I will put into the Record at a later time.

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