Paul Tonko: “I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill is far from perfect. It has some very good provisions…”

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill is far from perfect. It has some very good provisions and others that I oppose. I rise today to highlight the particular sections I worked on to get included in this bill. I have worked across the aisle with my colleagues in the past on similar drinking water issues, and I have been asking my E&C colleagues for a hearing on broader reforms to the Safe Drinking Water Act through this entire session. While we have not been successful in having a hearing, I remain optimistic that my colleagues on the other side will make this a top priority next year. With that said, the bill before us today includes a number of provisions very similar to language authored by myself, by Ranking Member Pallone, and many of our Democratic colleagues contained within the AQUA Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 2016. We know communities and low-income homeowners need assistance replacing lead service lines. This bill authorizes a new $300 million grant program to get lead out of our communities. It gives priority to schools, to childcare centers, and other facilities that serve children. The bill also makes it easier for States to administer Federal funds. In addition to these provisions from the AQUA Act, there are a number of other positive things included in this bill. We have heard about the struggles of small and disadvantaged communities.…”