[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 23, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H3011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE NEED FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a much-needed 
investment in our Nation's infrastructure, specifically our water 
infrastructure.
  Let me be very clear: Our crumbling and outdated water infrastructure 
is in a state of emergency. It is leaving our most vulnerable Americans 
struggling with water access and unaffordable rates, including my 
hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
  I want to commend President Biden and my colleagues for promoting the 
American Jobs Plan, a comprehensive Federal investment to repair and 
strengthen our infrastructure.
  This could not be more timely, as Federal investment in public water 
infrastructure projects have fallen from 63 percent of our overall 
investment in 1977 to just 9 percent in 2014.
  The American Jobs Plan will deliver the investments we need and 
eliminate all lead pipes and service lines in our drinking water 
systems.
  It is unacceptable that in the United States of America, schools are 
forced to put plastic bags over their drinking fountains because it is 
not safe for our children to drink water because there are elevated 
levels of lead.
  Too much of our existing infrastructure is jeopardized because of 
lead pipes. My home State of Michigan knows about this issue all too 
well. The Flint water crisis brought national attention to the dangers 
of elevated levels of lead in our drinking water.
  Unfortunately, what happened in Flint is happening all across this 
country. In my district, the same problem exists in the city of 
Detroit. About 1,500 children under the age of 6 test positive for 
elevated levels of lead every year, and of those tested, about 7 
percent are diagnosed with lead poisoning.
  Congress cannot stand by and watch as Americans get sick and poisoned 
from their own drinking water.
  I always like to emphasize: Water is not a luxury. A pothole is an 
inconvenience, but water is a necessity to life.
  We have the opportunity to address this issue right now by passing 
the American Jobs Plan. It is a once-in-a-generation investment in our 
communities and families. It also includes provisions similar to my 
legislation, the WATER Act. My bill would fully fund the Drinking Water 
and Clean Water State Revolving Funds, provide funding for public 
schools to test and replace drinking water infrastructure, provide 
grants to replace lead service lines leading to our households, and 
much more to fix and strengthen our water infrastructure.
  Earlier this Congress, I submitted Community Project Funding requests 
to support water system improvements for two of my communities: Pontiac 
and Royal Oak Township. These communities are not alone. Similar water 
system improvement projects are needed across the country. With the 
American Jobs Plan, we can make that a reality.
  I look forward to continuing to fight for access to clean, safe, and 
affordable drinking water for every American.

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