Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on Vice President Harris and EPA Administrator Regan Visit to Milwaukee
Washington,
January 25, 2022
Congresswoman Gwen Moore Statement on Vice President Harris and EPA Administrator Regan Visit to Milwaukee Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: “There is no safe level of exposure of lead for children. Lead is a dangerous toxin that inhibits development and robs children who are exposed from reaching their full potential. Today, we heard a moving and heartbreaking first-hand testimonial about the harm this toxin inflicts on children, which only reaffirmed my desire to continue to support efforts to ensure a lead-free future for our kids. I am pleased that the Biden-Harris Administration has unveiled a robust Lead Action Plan to address the threat this toxin poses to our children, both from paint in old housing as well as in water. Milwaukee has 70,000 lead pipes that will take decades to remove if we continue at our current pace. The longer it takes to remove these lead pipes, the more irreparable and lifelong harm we allow to be inflicted on children, families, and communities. We don’t have time. The lead crisis in Milwaukee is urgency and I have made it my mission to secure the federal funding Milwaukee needs to rid our city of this poison. I know the Biden administration shares this deep commitment. I proudly voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which devotes $3 billion annually over the next five years to help get rid of lead pipes. These funds will help secure clean drinking water for all while helping to create good-paying, union jobs for those in neighborhoods most affected by this scourge. That is why I was pleased to join the visit to WRTP/Big Step to learn more about ongoing efforts to help train those who will help remove lead pipes as the federal dollars begin to flow into our communities. I look forward to continuing to partner with this Administration to forcefully advance these efforts until we rid every home of this poison. The funding made available in the bipartisan infrastructure law is a great start that will help us make finally real progress towards making this a reality for Milwaukee’s families.” |
