The Senate is reportedly poised to consider a bipartisan $9 billion measure for the nation's water infrastructure — including $280 million to address drinking-water contamination in Flint, Mich., and pollution runoff feeding an algae bloom in Florida.
The water bill, introduced by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.), is expected to receive more than 80 votes — even as prospects are uncertain for its combination with a $5 billion House measure, The New York Times reports.
It's been nearly a year since Michigan GOP Gov. Rick Snyder publicly acknowledged the water in the city of 100,000 was contaminated with lead, partly due to his administration's decision to switch the city's water source.
"Things are still very tough in Flint," Michigan Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee tells The Hill.
"The water is still not drinkable from the tap. Most people are still using bottled water, still experiencing symptoms."
According to the Times, the Water Resources Development Act, which comes around every two years, targets and maps out projects for lawmakers to fund in the future. About $5 billion of the bill is intended for the upkeep of ports, dams, locks, levies and canals managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Times reports.
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