On the recordSeptember 27, 2016
I agree with my colleague. If we can get an ironclad commitment to fix the Flint issue in WRDA and not just a vague conversation that somebody had--that Nancy Pelosi had with Paul Ryan, but I have to look at the public statements. The public statements are that a big leader in the House said this is an earmark. It is not. The Speaker over there, who is supposed to care about poor people and kids, said it is a local issue, which it is not. They voted down a chance to have a vote. It is not very encouraging. I am always encouraged when my colleague from Oklahoma speaks because he is the most positive person I have ever met. He says we are going to get it done. And if it is up to us, it gets done. But there are other people who don't view this issue the way he and I view this issue. All I am saying is, as I wind down my days here, I have had a lot of experience in expecting that I get things done. People have said to me: Oh my God, you are right. You are so right. You are on target. Don't worry. Well, that is all good, but show me the money. Show me the path. Show me the ironclad path for Flint, and I will step out of the way in a heartbeat, believe me. I encourage my friend to keep working with the Republicans, and I will work with the Democrats. Let's get an ironclad way that assures the people of Michigan that, finally, they are going to have some light at the end of the tunnel. In closing, I would say the simplest way to do it is just to add the package to the CR.…
