Political Quotes

“Mr. President, the crisis in Flint, MI, is a tragedy that was entirely preventable. This week we have a chance to do something about it. Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters from Michigan have submitted an amendment that I hope, when we go back on the bill, we will consider. As we do so, it is important to remember that Flint is far from the only town in this country where families face exposure to dangerous levels of lead. In Sebring, in northeast Ohio, near Youngstown, we know there are troubling amounts of lead in the water. Families are scared that their drinking water isn't safe. They are afraid they are facing another Flint. No parent should have to worry that the water coming out of their faucets might in fact be poisoning their children. Pregnant women shouldn't have to fear their tap water. In Sebring, just as in Flint, families were left in the dark about the safety of their water. For months, local officials failed to notify residents about the lead, and the State EPA failed to step in. I spoke with the mayor. I spoke recently--just this week--to State Representative Boccieri and State Senator Schiavoni, who represent Sebring and that part of the county, about what our response should be. The amendment before us this week will help put a stop to the failure--in Michigan, the failure of the Governor, and in Columbus, it appears to be the failure of the State EPA.…”