The lakes outline our boundaries, they define who we are as a state, and we have 10,000 miles of Great Lake shoreline in this region.

I think we have to take it very seriously. I know these people they post on social media, they`re dangerous and what`s most dangerous is the silence of Republican leadership. They should be calling them off.

Over seven years ago, in my hometown, a water crisis emerged. My hometown is Flint, Michigan.

Environmental health and climate experts in Michigan have been warning that climate change, causing more extreme weather, more volatile water cycles, allows for an environment for water-borne bacteria, like legionella bacteria, to thrive.

Michigan again, sadly, is experiencing a surge in Legionnaire's Disease.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for holding this hearing, and I want to thank all of the witnesses for being here today for this really important conversation.

As the last few months have demonstrated, with extreme temperatures, parts of the country facing drought, wildfires, and then, as Congresswoman Stevens from Michigan, my colleague from Michigan, mentioned, serious flooding, the work of our climate scientists and meteorologists is critical for the well-being of our planet.

I really appreciate you recognizing me, and I do appreciate the Chair holding this important hearing.

Just this week, the GAO issued a report that concluded the DoD will have to significantly increase spending to clean up current and former DoD installations that are contaminated with PFAS.

In Congress I have been working on this subject for a few years since it was brought to my attention. I co-chair a bipartisan task force, The congressional PFAS Task Force, along with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

I would only take an issue with the notion that what is being requested is intended to be a reflection of what we can do.