On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of Senators reached an agreement that would seek to provide funding to help cities like Michigan and Flint replace old lead-contaminated pipelines. The tentative deal will also allow a long-stalled bill to move forward.
The Boston Herald reported that the pipelines which were contaminated with lead have resulted in an ongoing public health emergency in the city of about 100.000 people. Democrats from Michigan, Senator Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters worked with James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, who is also the Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman. A bipartisan group of at least seven senators also helped in securing the deal after weeks of contentious debate over how to help Flint and other cities recover.
Republican Sen. Inhofe and Democrat Sen. Stabenow would authorize $100 million in emergency aid to fix and replace the city's aging pipelines, as reported by Yahoo News. A $70 million in loans would also improve its water infrastructure and $50 million nationwide to reinforce lead-prevention programs while improving the health of children.
According to Chicago Tribune, the financing package would be by rescinding loan credits of $250 million for a program that aims to help auto companies develop fuel economy technology.
While Texas Senator John Cornyn released a statement saying a deal was being finalized, both Inhofe and Stabenow declined to comment. However, a copy of Inhofe-Stabenow proposal is currently being circulated at the Capitol.
Lawmakers from different parties have debated over how to provide the best help to Flint. Democrats proposed a $600 million emergency aid package while accusing Republicans of failing to help the people of the low-income city after a city manager installed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder switched the drinking water supply of the city from Lake Michigan to the Flint River.
Although the Republicans acknowledged errors committed in the state, it also has pointed to a slow response by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Meanwhile, Gov. Snyder has agreed to testify before the Congress about the water crisis in Flint.
