- 6 months ago
During a House Appropriations Committee markup meeting before the Congressional recess, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) spoke about an amendment to promote clean drinking water.
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00:00Now, I recognize the gentlelady from Connecticut, Mr. Laurel, for the purpose of an amendment.
00:06Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk and ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with.
00:11Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with, and the gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment.
00:18I'm proud to submit this amendment, which would restore funding for the state revolving funds to the fiscal year 2025 enacted level.
00:27The American people are demanding help with the cost of living.
00:30That is what we should be focusing on on this committee.
00:33But instead, the majority has chosen to cut the funding that literally helps our communities maintain safe, clean drinking water.
00:42All our states rely on the revolving funds to help finance water infrastructure projects, which are often time and capital intensive.
00:51Yet the bill before us eviscerates this funding to the states by nearly $2 billion, or 62%.
00:59This near-complete withdrawal of federal support for water infrastructure means that local governments, already struggling for cash due to President Trump's illegal freezes of so many grants and loan programs,
01:11will have to bear the brunt of financing expensive water safety and treatment projects.
01:16Clean water should be available for all Americans, and the state revolving funds help achieve that mission.
01:24Yet, the majority's bill is cutting these funds so deeply and so recklessly that even their own communities will be deeply harmed.
01:32In Oklahoma, there will be a $10 million cut, from nearly $16 million down to barely $6 million.
01:40In Idaho, we'll receive a $7 million cut, from nearly $11 million down to $4 million.
01:47This will devastate the ability of state and local governments to finance needed projects.
01:53As Jeff Walker, former executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board, said, and I quote,
01:59More than half of clean water SRF, state revolving funds, subsidized loans, 55%, are provided to communities with populations of less than 3,500,
02:10many of whom can't qualify or will pay higher interest rates in the municipal bond and private lending markets.
02:15Without financing from the clean water SRFs, these communities are more likely to experience unreliable household wastewater services and poor water quality,
02:26which can result in exposure to deadly and debilitating waterborne diseases that are preventable, end quote.
02:34The EPA currently estimates that our nation's drinking water and wastewater systems will face over $1.2 trillion in capital improvements needs over the next 20 years,
02:44just to maintain current levels of service and safety.
02:47Without federal support, these costs get passed on to the American people,
02:51either through utility bills, property, or sales taxes, or cuts to other local government services.
02:57Americans voted to lower the cost of living, not to spike their water and tax bills.
03:04Yet, that is exactly what the majority is forcing on our communities.
03:08This is something we should all be able to agree on.
03:10Water, food, and shelter are bare necessities.
03:13Every single person here knows the importance of safe drinking water.
03:17Every person here should be demanding action if something went wrong with our community's water supply.
03:22Failing septic systems and inadequate wastewater treatment are a matter of life and death.
03:28They can lead to the contamination of drinking water sources with pathogens like E. coli and other microorganisms causing waterborne diseases.
03:36That is what the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is for.
03:39It is for places like Stockton, Pennsylvania, which had the state's worst water quality until it received funding to install a new water distribution line and prevent contamination of giarda, bacteria, and iron in its whole system.
03:53It is for preventing tragedies like the one in Flint, Michigan, where the city tried to update its water system, but corroded pipes from the new drinking water source exposed nearly 9,000 children to lead contamination for 18 months.
04:06And it is for protecting places like Lake Washington Ship Canal, Salmon Bay, Lake Union in Seattle, which received $165.3 million in low-interest loans to help prevent as much as 75 million gallons annually of polluted stormwater carrying toxins such as motor oil, metals, and pesticides directly into these crucial waterways.
04:28I know many of us are also focused on securing funding for our districts through community projects.
04:34These things should not be in competition with each other.
04:37CPF funding is not the same as the state revolving funds.
04:42It should not come at the expense of the state revolving funds.
04:46When Democrats controlled the House, we were able to produce bills that did both, that did not ask our constituents to choose between clean water and community projects.
04:54The American people are expecting us to deliver both once again.
04:59Safe drinking water should not be a partisan issue.
05:02This should be the bare minimum.
05:04We do not have to stage this tradeoff between community projects and water projects.
05:09This is a choice, just like the majority's choice, to add $3.4 trillion to the deficit to finance tax breaks for the billionaires and biggest corporations.
05:18I'm proud to propose this amendment, urge my colleagues to support it as well.
05:22Thank you, and I yield back.
05:25Thanks, gentlelady.
05:26The gentleman from Idaho, Mr. Simpson, to recognize and respond to the amendment.
05:30Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
05:31I rise in opposition to the amendment.
05:34The amount provided to the states in this bill is the same amount provided to the states in the FY25 House bill when accounting for community project funding amounts.
05:44The SRFs also received an additional supplemental funding through the infrastructure bill.
05:50In FY26 alone, they will each receive $2.6 billion in supplemental funding.
05:56Over the five years of the infrastructure bill, the SRFs will have received $11.7 billion in supplemental funding.
06:05But the main reason I oppose this is because, without an offset, this amendment causes the bill to exceed our committee-approved 302B.
06:13So I would oppose this amendment and hope my colleagues would oppose it also.
06:16Thank you very much for yielding the time.
06:30As you've heard, this bill cuts, this amendment would restore the funding for clean water and clean drinking water and state revolving funds because they are already cut by more than 60% compared to FY25.
06:44As we've already heard in some of the opening remarks and from the ranking member, DeLauro, almost every one of our states and communities is looking for funding to help deliver safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
07:00This is a need that spans all of our states and all of our communities.
07:04And with extreme weather or aging infrastructure, the need is greater than ever.
07:09Reducing this funding to the states threatens the viability of our water infrastructure projects, forcing states to either delay these critical upgrades or shift the cost to rate payers.
07:23This would reduce vital opportunities to have clean drinking water, to have wastewater systems that are high-functioning, and making sure that our constituents are not being exposed to contaminants like PFAS in lead.
07:37Our state environmental agencies are already underfunded and struggling to bear the costs of permitting, which is vitally needed for economic development.
07:48The idea that we're going to make a cut in this bill, and this is where we would go 60% compared to what we did in FY25, is somewhat unthinkable to me.
07:59This is a need that's not going to go away.
08:02This is not a partisan need.
08:03This is something that we all recognize is critically important.
08:07And for most of us, our states or local communities don't have the ready funds to do this necessary work.
08:13So when we withdraw these federal funds, we're going to put a burden either on our states or our communities in places that they have no ability to do.
08:20And because of what we've already done in the big, ugly bill and the tax benefits we've given to billionaires, and the cuts we're already planning to make in Medicaid and SNAP benefits, our states will be already strained.
08:32And this is yet one more cost we're going to be asking them to bear.
08:35And if our states can't bear the cost, then it's our local communities and our local rate payers who will have to bear the cost.
08:40So all we are doing here is not saying this is not a need, this is not something that Congress has to deal with.
08:46We're just saying let's ignore this and let somebody else pay for it.
08:50But this is a vital service.
08:51This is clean water.
08:53This is making sure people are free from toxics in their environment.
08:56This is making sure our communities are clean and healthy.
08:59I oppose this cut.
09:01I support this amendment.
09:02And I encourage my colleagues to support it as well.
09:05I yield back.
09:05Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
09:14I rise in strong support of my friend, Ranking Member DeLauro's amendment and to increase funding for water infrastructure in our country.
09:25Under the majority's bill, Ohio would receive $71 million less than last year.
09:33That is a 62% cut, a 62% cut for water infrastructure in Ohio.
09:41I'm privileged to have included a community project in this bill for the city of Defiance in my district.
09:47It is one of many, many communities that need water infrastructure but can't find the funding to make necessary upgrades
09:56and keep services affordable for the people that live there.
10:01Projects like this one should supplement rather than compete with the state revolving fund.
10:06Everybody knows the state revolving funds don't have enough money in them.
10:09At a time when prices are rising everywhere and state revolving funds are short in dollars to meet the rising needs.
10:17America's infrastructure is aging, folks, and we should be exploring ways to invest more heavily in places like Defiance.
10:24The majority's cuts to water infrastructure funding will fall hardest on communities like those in areas of northern Ohio that I represent,
10:34many of which are small, rural, and low income.
10:38They don't have much recourse to find outside funding.
10:43As I said in my opening statement, the water bills for consumers are going up 37% for drinking water, 67% for wastewater since 2008.
10:54So now is absolutely not the time for cuts.
10:58I don't know where Mr. Vogt lives or exists, but if he doesn't see this, he's quite short-sighted.
11:04The reduction that the majority is proposing will increase the public health risks, slow economic growth,
11:10and undermine the infrastructure progress that we've made thus far at a time when resilience is critical to face increases in natural disasters that are happening.
11:20Several cities in our district have accrued serious water infrastructure debts as they have struggled to meet EPA's mandates for clean water,
11:28and those mandates are important.
11:30Slowly, Lake Erie, which we depend on for life, is becoming cleaner, fairly, because of what we've been able to do to date,
11:41but they've come at great cost.
11:43We owe it to our cities to help them meet these obligations.
11:46The debt of our communities has led to increased prices for families that hinder their ability to invest in economic growth.
11:54Federal funds should help lift this burden so that, instead, local communities can focus their efforts on building new housing
12:01and developing new commercial areas instead of just paying off environmental debt.
12:06I urge my colleagues to support this life-sustaining amendment, keep America's drinking water safe, reliable, and affordable.
12:16Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
12:17I yield back.
12:18Thank you, gentlelady.
12:19Gentlelady from Florida.
12:21Ms. Wasserman Schultz recognized to address the amendment.
12:31Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
12:33I rise in strong support of the amendment offered by Ranking Member DeLauro to restore critical funding to the EPA's state revolving funds for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
12:42This bill has written slashes the SRFs by a staggering $1.7 billion, a 62% cut from last year's level.
12:51That is unconscionable.
12:53Clean water is not a luxury.
12:55It is a necessity.
12:56And ensuring affordable, safe water is one of our most basic responsibilities.
13:01These programs are the backbone of a successful federal-state-local partnership.
13:05They help communities all over the country finance essential projects by removing lead pipes, upgrading failing sewage systems, separating combined sewers, and keeping drinking water safe.
13:18Cutting them at this scale doesn't just leave local governments holding the bag.
13:21It leaves every ratepayer and every family paying more, and it risks their health.
13:26And this isn't hypothetical.
13:27These needs are real, and they are in the districts of members on this committee, both Republican and Democratic.
13:34Cities like Albany, Georgia, have struggled to find federal dollars to separate its combined sewer system.
13:40Albany has already spent more than $100 million into separating its combined sewer system, but they need more help.
13:47And yes, Mr. Bishop, I know you know I know how to pronounce Albany.
13:50And now House Republicans are slashing funding for clean water projects by 62%, leaving cities like Albany to either raise rates on their residents or fall even further behind.
14:03Working families across the country didn't create this crisis, but Republicans are asking them to pay for it, while billionaires and polluters get a free pass.
14:11Chairman Womack, I have tremendous respect for you.
14:14You represent the city of Fort Smith in Arkansas' 3rd Congressional District.
14:17Fort Smith agreed to spend more than $200 million over 12 years to upgrade its sewer collection and treatment.
14:24The original decree deadline is set for 2027, but the city is currently seeking a formal extension to 2036.
14:32Sewer rates jumped by 176% between 2015 and 2017 in Fort Smith to pay for this work.
14:39And that's when we were fully funding these revolving funds.
14:42Where will Fort Smith come up with these dollars to make these necessary fixes when we cut the only federal funds available to them?
14:49The only answer is raising utility rates.
14:52In Virginia's 6th District, Mr. Klein, Roanoke, and Salmon are rebuilding old sewer infrastructure under federal consent orders.
14:59The cities need to repair cracked pipes, remove stormwater infiltration, and stop raw sewage from spilling into our rivers.
15:06These are precisely the projects SRFs are built to fund.
15:11Cutting SRF funding leaves these cities with only two cruel choices.
15:14Crush local ratepayers with rate increases, or delay critical work and violate federal standards.
15:20The EPA estimates we face over $1.2 trillion in drinking water and wastewater needs in the next two decades.
15:27But this bill guts the very resources communities need to meet that challenge.
15:31And beyond protecting public health and the environment, investing in water infrastructure also creates jobs.
15:37Nearly 16 good-paying American jobs for every $1 million invested, with ripple effects throughout the economy.
15:44We should do more, not less, to ensure every community has clean water, reliable infrastructure, and affordable utility rates.
15:51We should be focusing on making life more affordable, not more expensive, for the people that we represent.
15:58And we should stand with our colleagues' constituents in Arkansas, Georgia, Virginia, and across America, who are depending on us to get this right.
16:06I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and protect our communities, economy, and our water.
16:10And I yield back. Thank you very much.
16:12Thank you, General Lady.
16:13Gentleman from Y is recognized to address the amendment.
16:19Thank you, Mr. Chair.
16:20I rise in very strong support of the ranking member's amendment.
16:25And let's be very clear, crystal clear.
16:28The majority's proposed reduction of $1.7 billion from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
16:37is a direct attack on two of our nation's absolute bedrock public health laws.
16:44The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or the Clean Water Act of 1972, which was passed overwhelmingly on a bipartisan basis,
16:53vetoed by President Nixon, and overridden on a bipartisan basis by this Congress.
17:00A great demonstration of Congress's performance of his actual constitutional duties.
17:04And the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities and signed by a Republican president, President Ford.
17:14These critical laws addressed the lack, then, of one of the most critical necessities of life, clean and safe drinking water.
17:24Now, we tend to take this for granted today because these laws have been in place for over a half century.
17:29But back then, our public water drinking systems were anything but safe.
17:34There were cancer-causing chemicals in the water of New Orleans and Pittsburgh.
17:39There was lead contamination in Boston water pipes.
17:43There was viral and bacteriological contamination in smaller, more rural communities.
17:48And these cornerstone laws set basic nationwide standards for safe drinking water quality and oversaw public water systems to protect public health.
18:00And they gave state and county governments and other water systems the tools of compliance because you can't just establish the rules and then fail to give people the tools of compliance.
18:12The tools of compliance were these revolving funds, which allowed capitalization grants to states to establish loan programs to finance drinking water improvement projects to comply.
18:24Absent these revolving funds, states and counties, especially smaller rural water systems, would simply not have the means to comply and deliver safe, clean drinking water.
18:37Now, these are not idle risks.
18:38My colleagues have already talked about the actual risks to clean and safe drinking water in many of the communities of our colleagues in the room here.
18:48But in my own state of Hawaii, for example, we have seen major risks to our safe and clean drinking water.
18:54We had a major crisis at Red Hill where the Navy's fuel tanks leaked into the primary aquifer for the city of Honolulu, servicing hundreds of thousands of my constituents.
19:09Now, this committee has been very generous and very responsible in assisting with the recovery from Red Hill.
19:16But the needs of assuring the aquifers and the water supply of the city of Honolulu are not going to stop with Red Hill.
19:23They will last beyond this particular crisis.
19:27We have in Hawaii 38 priority drinking water projects, all funded or to be funded by these revolving funds.
19:36And the biggest problem with our clean and safe drinking water looms in front of us, and that is the crisis of PFAS, which is coming at us fast and furious and for which we must prepare today, including strengthening these funds.
19:52So with all of this half century plus success with proven need, why, why slash these funds today?
20:00Why slash them by $1.7 billion?
20:03Well, I listened to some of the explanations by the chair.
20:08One possible explanation is that the states should actually step up.
20:12And by the way, the states means the rate payers, the consumers.
20:15They should step up and pay this.
20:18The federal government should not have to shoulder these burdens anymore.
20:21Or somehow this should be the responsibility of the states and the counties.
20:24That amounts to an unfunded federal mandate that is unfair to establish these rules, which are good rules, and then fail to provide the means of compliance.
20:35The chair says, well, the real reason here is that there is no offset for this restoration of $1.7 billion.
20:43You know what?
20:44I don't accept that for one second.
20:46It is you, by reducing the overall allocation to this bill, the majority, that have created this problem.
20:55I don't accept the responsibility of trying to comply with a reduction of 6% in our national environmental programs.
21:05And finally, I think I heard the chair say that somehow these funds are oversubscribed, that they're plentifully funded.
21:12And I don't buy that either.
21:14That is shorting these funds today, knowing that you will have a problem down the road, that you must step up and fund it, and calling it fiscal responsibility.
21:24And you know what?
21:24You ceded the right to any claim of fiscal responsibility with your recent actions, including the reconciliation bill.
21:31With that, I urge adoption of this amendment, and I yield back.
21:38Thank you, gentlemen.
21:39Are there other members wishing to address the amendment?
21:44There's no further debate.
21:47The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for one minute to close.
21:54Oh, excuse me.
21:55This is your...
21:55Sorry.
21:57Gentle lady from Connecticut.
21:59What is it, John?
22:01The gentle lady from Connecticut is recognized for one minute to close.
22:06Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
22:07You know, in the richest country in the world, people in every state should have access to clean water.
22:12House Republicans are decimating the efforts to ensure our water is safe to drink or use, to cook, or to bathe.
22:18I don't care where people come from.
22:20They have...
22:21They need access to clean drinking water.
22:24And if you take the amount of money, that's the clean water and the drinking water revolving fund, we're talking about a cut of $1.7 billion at 62%.
22:35I refer you to the chart that I believe that everyone should have at their desk, which goes state by state to tell you what the cut will be.
22:43In Florida, $58 million cut.
22:45Georgia, $35 million.
22:47Illinois, $65 million.
22:50Pennsylvania, $61 million.
22:52Texas, $100 million.
22:54California, $146 million.
22:56You find a way to get those things paid for when this is a necessity for people, and it's in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.
23:05The last thing American families should have to worry about is whether the water coming out of their tap is safe,
23:10whether their water bill is going to skyrocket because their city or county cannot afford the needed maintenance.
23:17We shouldn't be piling more costs on families who live paycheck to paycheck, and that is what this amendment intends to stop.
23:23I urge your support for the amendment, and I yield back.
23:26Thank you, gentlelady.
23:29The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from Connecticut.
23:33All those in favor say aye.
23:35Aye.
23:36All those opposed say no.
23:38No.
23:39The opinion of the chair of the no's have it.
23:41Recorded vote.
23:42Recorded vote has been requested.
23:44Sufficient number of hands have been raised.
23:46The clerk will call the roll.
23:47Mr. Adderholt.
23:48No.
23:49Mr. Adderholt, no.
23:51Mr. Aguilar.
23:52Aye.
23:52Mr. Aguilar, aye.
23:54Mr. Alford.
23:55No.
23:55Mr. Alford, no.
23:57Mr. Amaday.
23:59Mrs. Bice.
24:01Mrs. Bice, no.
24:02Mr. Bishop.
24:05Mr. Calvert.
24:06Mr. Calvert, no.
24:08Mr. Carter.
24:09Mr. Carter, no.
24:11Mr. Case.
24:12Aye.
24:12Mr. Case, aye.
24:14Mr. Siskimani.
24:17Mr. Klein.
24:20Mr. Cloud.
24:21Mr. Cloud, no.
24:23Mr. Clyburn.
24:26Mr. Clyde.
24:28Mr. Clyde, no.
24:30Mr. Cole.
24:30No.
24:31Mr. Cole, no.
24:32Mr. Cuellar.
24:34Mr. Cuellar, aye.
24:36Mr. Cuellar, aye.
24:36Ms. Dean.
24:37No.
24:38No.
24:38No.
24:38No.
24:38Miss Dean, aye.
24:40Mr. Lauro.
24:41Aye.
24:41Mr. Lauro, aye.
24:43Mr. Diaz-Balart.
24:44Mr. Edwards.
24:47No.
24:47Mr. Edwards, no.
24:50Mr. Elzey.
24:51No.
24:52Mr. Elzey, no.
24:53Ms. Escobar.
24:56Mr. Espayat.
24:57Aye.
24:58Mr. Espayat, aye.
24:59Mr. Fleischman.
25:00No.
25:01Mr. Fleischman, no.
25:02Ms. Frankel.
25:03Aye.
25:03Ms. Frankel, aye.
25:04Mr. Franklin.
25:05No.
25:06Mr. Franklin, no.
25:07Mr. Gonzalez.
25:08No.
25:08Mr. Gonzalez, no.
25:10Mr. Guest.
25:11No.
25:11Mr. Guest, no.
25:13Mr. Harder.
25:14Aye.
25:15Mr. Harder, aye.
25:16Dr. Harris.
25:17Dr. Harris, no.
25:19Mrs. Henson.
25:20No.
25:20Mrs. Henson, no.
25:22Mr. Hoyer.
25:23Aye.
25:23Mr. Hoyer, aye.
25:25Mr. Ivy.
25:26Aye.
25:26Mr. Ivy, aye.
25:28Mr. Joyce.
25:29Mr. Joyce, no.
25:31Ms. Capter.
25:31Aye.
25:32Ms. Capter, aye.
25:33Mr. Lalota.
25:36Ms. Lee.
25:38Ms. Lee, no.
25:39Ms. Letlow.
25:42Ms. Letlow, no.
25:44Mr. Levin.
25:45Mr. Levin, aye.
25:47Ms. Molloy.
25:47Ms. Molloy, no.
25:50Ms. McCollum.
25:51Aye.
25:51Ms. McCollum, aye.
25:53Ms. Ming.
25:54Aye.
25:54Ms. Ming, aye.
25:56Mr. Molinar.
25:57No.
25:57Mr. Molinar, no.
25:58Mr. Moore.
26:01Mr. Morelli.
26:04Mr. Mervan.
26:07Mr. Newhouse.
26:08No.
26:09Mr. Newhouse, no.
26:10Ms. Perez.
26:11Yes.
26:13Ms. Perez, aye.
26:15Ms. Pingree.
26:15Aye.
26:16Ms. Pingree, aye.
26:17Mr. Pocan.
26:19Mr. Pocan, aye.
26:20Mr. Quigley.
26:22Mr. Quigley, aye.
26:23Mr. Reschenthaler.
26:25No.
26:25Mr. Reschenthaler, no.
26:27Mr. Rogers.
26:28Mr. Rogers, no.
26:29Mr. Rutherford.
26:31Mr. Rutherford, no.
26:32Mr. Simpson.
26:33No.
26:33Mr. Simpson, no.
26:34Mr. Strong.
26:35No.
26:36Mr. Strong, no.
26:37Mrs. Torres.
26:38Aye.
26:39Mrs. Torres, aye.
26:40Ms. Underwood.
26:41Aye.
26:41Ms. Underwood, aye.
26:43Mr. Valadeo.
26:44No.
26:45Mr. Valadeo, no.
26:46Ms. Wasserman-Schultz.
26:48Ms. Wasserman-Schultz, aye.
26:49Mrs. Watson-Coleman.
26:51Mrs. Watson-Coleman, aye.
26:53Mr. Womack.
26:56Mr. Zinke.
26:58Mr. Zinke, no.
27:01Are there members wishing to record or change their vote?
27:05Gentleman from South Carolina.
27:07Mr. Clyburn, aye.
27:10Gentleman from Georgia.
27:13Mr. Bishop, aye.
27:14Gentleman from West Virginia.
27:20Mr. Moore, no.
27:22Gentleman from New York.
27:24The gentleman's not recorded.
27:28Mr. Morelli, aye.
27:29Gentleman from Nevada.
27:32I do not believe the gentlelady is recorded.
27:35She's recorded as a no.
27:36Oh, your record is a no.
27:39Okay.
27:40Off, no, on, aye for Ms. Lee.
27:41Gentleman from Florida.
27:46Mr. Diaz-Billard, no.
27:49Okay.
27:50Mr. Womack.
27:51Other than where?
27:52Mr. Womack.
27:53Gentleman from Arkansas.
27:55Mr. Womack, no.
27:56Mr. Carmine's food is really messing up the balloting.
28:01Are there any other members wishing to record or change their vote?
28:07Not the clerk will tally.
28:09All right.
28:25Hmm.
28:33Go low, little boy.
28:34Gentleman from New York Mr. Loloda votes no on this vote the ayes are 26 the noes are
29:0432 the amendment is not adopted
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