Rep. Dingell Helps Secure Billions To Remove Lead From Water

DEARBORN, MI — Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell on Thursday was among three other representatives who successfully lobbied for billions of dollars to remove lead from water in the Democrats' $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill.

The measure added to the bill would provide $30 billion in grants to replace lead water pipes. It will also add $700 million to remove lead from school water, as well as an additional $500 million to help low-income earners with their water bill.

"This nation is facing a serious drinking water crisis – and it’s been impacting Michiganders for years between Flint, Dearborn, and now Benton Harbor," Dingell said.

"We need strong investments in replacing contaminated lead service lines, eliminating lead in our schools to protect children, and ensuring low-income communities can afford and have access to clean water," she added. "As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have led this fight for clean water in our communities, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in this critical moment to invest further to protect public health and create more jobs."

Dingell also worked with House Democrats Dan Kildee from Flint, Pramila Jayapal from Washington State and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan.

Live in Dearborn? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.

However, the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill has a steep hill to climb.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, has already blamed stimulus spending for raising inflation and labor shortages, and vowed to "make it hard" for the Democrats to pass the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill.

While Democrats don't need any republican senate votes to pass the bill, they must have all 50 senate democrats vote in favor of the bill to allow Vice President Kamala Harris (D-CA) to cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.

And two democratic senators, Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) have repeatedly stressed caution about the bill in its current phase.

Manchin said there's no way to pass the bill, while Sinema said she simply won't back it.