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Congressional Progressive Caucus Letter to Speaker Ryan Asking for Flint Funding

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Commentary:  The co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) led CPC Executive Leadership in sending the following letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, urging him to include funding to support the residents of Flint, Michigan in any omnibus spending bill or continuing resolution before the end of the Fiscal Year.

It has been nearly two years since Flint changed its water supply and residents, many of them children, were poisoned with high concentrations of lead. Congress has yet to send any funding to help the people of Flint recover from this crisis. Read the full letter below:

September 9, 2016

The Honorable Paul Ryan

Speaker of the House

H-232, United States Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

We call on you to provide supplemental funding for the people of Flint, Michigan before the end of the 2016 Fiscal Year. It's been almost a year since we learned about lead contaminated water in Flint and longer since the people of Flint have been exposed to lead in their drinking water. It's past time for Congress to act. As we approach the end of the Fiscal Year, we ask you to include a supplemental appropriation for Flint in any omnibus or continuing resolution passed to keep the government funded.

The ongoing public health emergency in Flint requires Congressional action. A supplemental appropriation could be used to help provide infrastructure repairs; support health, nutrition and education assistance for children exposed to lead; and deliver economic development opportunities to the community. While the effects of lead poisoning are permanent, providing these resources now can mitigate the impacts and support a strong, prosperous Flint. The $765 million in supplemental appropriations outlined by Representative Kildee (H.R.4479) and included in the Congressional Progressive Caucus Budget would provide appropriate funding to help restore safe drinking water and address the damage that has been done.

In March of this year, 17 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus visited Flint on a 26-member delegation to the city. We held a “Speak Out” where families and residents of Flint testified about their experiences during this crisis. Members of Congress listened as nearly 200 residents shared their stories and called for action to help their community. They are strong and ready to rebuild, but they need and deserve support from their leaders in Congress.

There is a long-standing, bipartisan tradition in Congress to assist communities after a disaster, and we hope that, in this tradition, you will bring a much needed funding bill to the floor for the people of Flint.

Sincerely,

_____________________                                                        ­­­­­­­­­_____________________

Keith Ellison                                                               Raúl Grijalva

CPC Co-Chair                                                             CPC Co-Chair

_____________________                                                        ­­­­­­­­­_____________________

Mark Pocan                                                                Barbara Lee

CPC First Vice Chair                                                  CPC Whip

_____________________                                                        ­­­­­­­­­_____________________

Matt Cartwright                                                         David Cicilline

CPC Vice Chair                                                          CPC Vice Chair

_____________________                                                        ­­­­­­­­­_____________________

Ruben Gallego                                                           Michael Honda

CPC Vice Chair                                                          CPC Vice Chair

_____________________                                                        ­­­­­­­­­_____________________

Sheila Jackson Lee                                                    Jan Schakowsky

CPC Vice Chair                                                          CPC Vice Chair

_____________________                                                        ­­­­­­­­­

Mark Takano                                     

CPC Vice Chair