February 4, 2016
Contact:
Ron Boehmer (DeLauro), 202-225-3661
Dan Weber (Edwards), 202-225-8699
Mitchell Rivard (Kildee), 202-595-4885
DeLauro, Edwards, Kildee Invite Michigan Governor Snyder to Testify at Hearing on Flint Water Crisis
Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Steering & Policy Committee Co-Chairs Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) sent a letter to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder inviting him to testify before House Democrats’ Steering & Policy Committee hearing on Wednesday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m. entitled “The Flint Water Crisis: Lessons for Protecting America's Children.”
As Congresswoman DeLauro, Congresswoman Edwards and Congressman Kildee wrote to Governor Snyder, “To date, Congress has not heard testimony from you on the Flint water crisis. Unfortunately, a prior Congressional hearing this week did not include top state officials, including emergency financial managers appointed by you to run the city of Flint. Seeing how it was your administration’s decisions that led to this public health crisis, including Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law, we believe it is important to hear testimony from you on this matter.”
“House Democrats are committed to getting Flint families and children – who are the victims in this state-created crisis – the immediate and long-term resources they need to overcome this crisis,” Congresswoman DeLauro, Congresswoman Edwards and Congressman Kildee continued.
Below is the full text of the letter:
February 4, 2016
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
Governor Snyder:
The ongoing Flint water crisis is a terrible tragedy. As the Governor of the state of Michigan, the families of Flint and all Americans deserve to hear testimony directly from you on how this man-made crisis happened, and what is being done at the state level to make it right.
On behalf of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, we invite you to testify at a hearing on the Flint water crisis next Wednesday, February 10, 2016, starting at 2 p.m. E.T. in Washington, D.C. According to recent news reports, we were encouraged to learn of your willingness to testify before Congress, and therefore wanted to provide you the opportunity. We have also called other expert witnesses who will testify on how this ongoing public health emergency is affecting Flint’s families and children.
To date, Congress has not heard testimony from you on the Flint water crisis. Unfortunately, a prior Congressional hearing this week did not include top state officials, including emergency financial managers appointed by you to run the city of Flint. Seeing how it was your administration’s decisions that led to this public health crisis, including Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law, we believe it is important to hear testimony from you on this matter.
House Democrats are committed to getting Flint families and children – who are the victims in this state-created crisis – the immediate and long-term resources they need to overcome this crisis.
The committee hearing next week will be led solely by the facts to ensure accountability and that the city of Flint gets the support it needs. As the state’s top elected official, Flint families and children deserve to hear directly from you.
Sincerely,
ROSA DELAURO
Co-Chair, Steering & Policy Committee
DONNA F. EDWARDS
Co-Chair, Steering & Policy Committee
DAN KILDEE
Member of Congress
