The Michigan governor admits he blew it, but warns others could blow it without new regulations.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rick Snyder has his eye on the underlying problem that caused the Flint water crisis.
http://cdn1.wibbitz.com/page/videos/1e61d017e3dc435ea3cd839927d70a2b.mp4
WASHINGTON — Though Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) admits that his government caused the Flint water crisis, he told Congress on Thursday morning it’s something that could happen anywhere that has lead pipes.
“The truth is, there are many communities with potentially dangerous lead problems,” Snyder said in his testimony before the House Oversight Committee.
If the “dumb and dangerous” federal regulations of lead pipes don’t change, Snyder said, “then this tragedy will befall other American cities.”
Flint’s water became poisonous in 2014 after Snyder’s government oversaw a switch to the Flint River as the city’s water source but failed to ensure its proper treatment.
“Not a day or night goes by that this tragedy doesn’t weigh on my mind ... the questions I should have asked ... the answers I should have demanded ... how I could have prevented this,” Snyder said in his testimony.
For nearly 18 months, Michigan officials dismissed Flint residents’ complaints that their water looked and tasted bad, while also ignoring red flags raised by state officials. Snyder said he didn’t figure it out until October, when the state finally told Flint residents not to drink from their taps because the lead levels in Flint kids’ blood had shot up.
Small children exposed to lead — even in small amounts — can suffer permanent brain damage and behavioral problems.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the committee’s top Democrat, excoriated the governor for his role in the crisis.
“There will now be an entire generation of children who suffer from brain damage, learning disabilities and many other horrible effects of lead poisoning that were inflicted on them by Governor Synder’s administration,” Cummings said. “Gov. Snyder’s administration caused this horrific disaster and poisoned the children of Flint.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rick Snyder has his eye on the underlying problem that caused the Flint water crisis.
http://cdn1.wibbitz.com/page/videos/1e61d017e3dc435ea3cd839927d70a2b.mp4
WASHINGTON — Though Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) admits that his government caused the Flint water crisis, he told Congress on Thursday morning it’s something that could happen anywhere that has lead pipes.
“The truth is, there are many communities with potentially dangerous lead problems,” Snyder said in his testimony before the House Oversight Committee.
If the “dumb and dangerous” federal regulations of lead pipes don’t change, Snyder said, “then this tragedy will befall other American cities.”
Flint’s water became poisonous in 2014 after Snyder’s government oversaw a switch to the Flint River as the city’s water source but failed to ensure its proper treatment.
“Not a day or night goes by that this tragedy doesn’t weigh on my mind ... the questions I should have asked ... the answers I should have demanded ... how I could have prevented this,” Snyder said in his testimony.
For nearly 18 months, Michigan officials dismissed Flint residents’ complaints that their water looked and tasted bad, while also ignoring red flags raised by state officials. Snyder said he didn’t figure it out until October, when the state finally told Flint residents not to drink from their taps because the lead levels in Flint kids’ blood had shot up.
Small children exposed to lead — even in small amounts — can suffer permanent brain damage and behavioral problems.
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the committee’s top Democrat, excoriated the governor for his role in the crisis.
“There will now be an entire generation of children who suffer from brain damage, learning disabilities and many other horrible effects of lead poisoning that were inflicted on them by Governor Synder’s administration,” Cummings said. “Gov. Snyder’s administration caused this horrific disaster and poisoned the children of Flint.”
