Utah Senator blocks federal aid to Flint, Michigan
March 6, 2016
examiner.com
Utah Senator Mike Lee, (R), used a procedural hold to block a bill providing federal aid to Flint, Michigan in the wake of its serious water crisis, according to NBC News on Friday. Lee's rationale for his controversial, adverse action is that the city of Flint already enough money as well as a "rainy day fund" and a "surplus." Lee stated that Flint's hefty funds emanated from the state of Michigan's "enormous budget surplus" in 2016.
Lee claimed that efforts by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to attain around $200 million in state money for Flint through the legislative process were "already in the works." Lee expressed his belief that Snyder's efforts, coupled with Flint's abundant current resources, were enough to sustain the city even in the midst of its serious water crisis. Lee stated his position bluntly: "The people and policymakers of Michigan right now have all the government resources they need to fix the problem." Lee's colleague in the Senate, Debbie Stabenow, (D, Mich.), expressed her belief that if Lee had objections to the bill providing emergency federal aid to Flint, that he should have voted against it instead of holding it up in the Senate. Lee responded by accusing Stabenow and other politicians of "political grandstanding."
The bill that Lee is blocking would provide around $100 million to states in "drinking water state revolving funds" in the event of drinking water emergencies. It also would back water infrastructure loans with $70 million and provide $50 million for the prevention of lead poisoning.
Mike Lee, 44, is in his first term as a United States Senator. He was first elected to the Senate in 2010. He is a member of the Tea Party faction of the Republican Party. Before he was elected to the Senate, Lee was an Assistant U.S. Attorney. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University. Lee is running for re-election to the Senate in 2016. |
