U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes $35B bill to bolster states' water infrastructure in bipartisan 89-2 vote.
"Millions of Americans do not have consistent access to clean drinking water. Many more live in areas where a single storm or natural disaster could devastate weak and archaic infrastructure, leading to an outright catastrophe," the bipartisan Senate Environment and Public Works Committee said in a statement supporting the bill.
The legislation includes nearly $30 billion in funding for clean water and drinking water revolving loan funds and an additional $6 billion in grant funding. "Passing this bill in a bipartisan way like we did today shows the American people that their elected officials in Congress can work collaboratively together on infrastructure," said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.
The bill now goes to the House, where it's unclear when it will be considered. Lawmakers there have been focused on a larger infrastructure package.his address to Congress"Today, up to 10 million homes and more than 400,000 schools and child care centers have pipes with lead in them, including for drinking water," said Biden, who said the situation is"a clear and present danger to our children's health.