Governor Rick Snyder and other officials have been invited to testify on February 3, 2016 on the Flint water crisis.
Last week, Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) announced her request for a formal hearing to take place:
“We trust our government to protect the health and safety of our communities, and this includes the promise of clean water to drink and clean air to breathe. Unfortunately, the people of Flint have had their trust violated. This public health crisis was caused by state and local officials, who made tragically bad decisions with the drinking water of Flint. Congressional oversight is needed to set things right, on behalf of the people of Flint and on behalf of future generations. Anything less than that would demonstrate gross negligence in providing the services that our constituents need and deserve.”
This is the first congressional hearing on the issue. Other invitees include Dan Wyant, former director of Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality (he resigned in December), Flint Mayor Karen Weaver and Dr. Mona Hanna-Atissha, a pediatric doctor at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, who found and reported elevated lead levels in children’s blood.
On Tuesday [January 19], during the State of the State Address, Snyder offered apologies to the residents of Flint and promised full transparency. “Tomorrow I will release my 2014 and 2015 emails [as seen below] regarding Flint to you, the citizens, so that you have answers to your questions about what we’ve done and what we’re doing to make this right for the families of Flint. The most important thing we can do right now is to work hard and work together for the people of Flint.”
Snyder’s office released the following statement this evening:
“We have received no communication from the Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding a possible hearing and look forward to hearing from its leaders. The governor is working to resolve the Flint water crisis, which is the result of missteps of government at all levels – local, state and federal. Governor continues to work to bring resources to help Flint residents now and long into the future, and appreciates the support of our partners in Congress as we move forward.”
There is no confirmation of the hearing at this time.
-Yvelette Stines
