Congressman Lieu To Introduce Budget Amendment To Get The Lead Out Of America'S Drinking Water

Press Release

Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) announced that he will introduce an amendment to the House Budget Resolution to help cities, counties and states get the lead out of America's drinking water.

Mr. Lieu's House Budget Committee amendment would recommend increasing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to $3.1 billion over the next five years. The amendment would also recommend spending $19.8 million for the Centers for Disease Control Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program. Established in 1996 through an amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program provides cities and counties with an independent source of low-cost financing for water quality infrastructure projects.

Upon introduction of the amendment, Mr. Lieu made the following statement:

"Beyond Flint, Michigan, the United States has a $1 trillion dollar lead pipe problem that threatens the health and safety of our children. Of the 29 states that report lead levels in drinking water, over 150 counties have reported incidents of lead poisoning in children caused by drinking water.

"Instead of protecting our children, Republicans cut funding to the Clean Drinking Water State Revolving Fund by nearly $100 million due to the Sequester. This amendment will help us keep our children safe and our drinking water clean."

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