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Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden says legislation co-authored with Senator Jeff Merkley was passed as part of the Drinking Water and Waste Water Infrastructure Act of 2021. It would provide $250 million for tribes to upgrade and fix their water treatment systems.
”It prioritizes tribal projects that address ongoing emergency water situations, Wyden told KLCC. And that is exactly what the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has been dealing with. I believe water is a human right, investing in critical tribal infrastructure is a step toward the United Sates fulfilling treaty obligations to Native American tribes.”
Many tribal communities like Warm Springs have dealt with boil-water notices and unreliable pipes and valves in their distribution system for hears. The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives.
Senate votes
Senate Vote 1: BUDGET MANAGEMENT: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Jason Scott Miller to serve as the Office of Management and Budget s deputy director for management. Miller was an economic advisor in the Obama administration, and then became CEO of the Greater Washington (D.C.) Partnership. A supporter, Sen. Gary C. Peters, D-Mich., said Miler has an extensive track record of tackling difficult management challenges and driving innovation both in government and in the private sector. The vote, on April 27, was 81 yeas to 13 nays.
YEAS: Burr R-NC, Tillis R-NC.
Senate Vote 2: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Janet Garvin McCabe to serve as the Environmental Protection Agency s deputy administrator. McCabe was a senior EPA official in the Obama administration, and since 2017 has been a law professor at Indiana University. A supporter, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., said: Her dedication and her know-how will be invaluable in pr
On Apr. 29, the U.S. Senate passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 for wastewater, storm water, drinking water, and water reuse On Apr. 29, the U.S. Senate passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021.
STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS Staff writer
WASHINGTON While negotiations continue between U.S. Senate Republicans, Democrats, and the White House on an infrastructure package, lawmakers got a head start on key drinking water and wastewater legislation that could bode well for future discussions.
U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced the passage Thursday of S.914, the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021. The bill passed 89-2, with only Republican U.S. Senators Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, voting against it.
The bill was a project of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where Capito is the ranking Republican member. The bill had early bipartisan support in committee, with Capito co-writing the bill with Senators Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Ben Cardin, D-Md., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Tom Carper, D-Del., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.