Barbara Boxer: “I am very pleased my colleague has stated unequivocally that the Flint provision--which again helps the whole…”

“I am very pleased my colleague has stated unequivocally that the Flint provision--which again helps the whole country--is going to be strongly supported by him and by me and by others in the conference. I would simply say to my friends in the House, through the Chair, if I can: There is a simple way to go--take up and pass the Senate bill. We have had 93 votes for cloture. I see the majority leader. I thank him so much for his work. He promised me this would happen, and he kept that promise. And Senator Reid--who had a lot of other fish to fry around here, but he said: You know what, let's get this done. That is very good for the country and for the way this place functions. When I am not here, I just hope to leave behind a few of these bipartisan crumbs that I have been able to work on in my time here. In conclusion, I don't want to get into what the House does. I hope they take up and pass our bill. If they don't, we will have to work with them, but let me just say, it is heartening to hear my colleague say he will stand for this lead provision. I also thank Senators Stabenow and Peters for bringing this unbelievable crisis to our attention and staying on this day after day. I can't say how many phone calls I have had. She would call me and I would call Senator Inhofe. Then he would call her and they would call Senator Peters. We have been standing together on this. I hope we have a resounding vote.…”