U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe draws praise from the editors of the Wall Street Journal for negotiating a deal to help bring about a settlement to help residents of Flint, Michigan with their lead-contaminated water.
“Oklahoma Republican Jim Inhofe deserves credit for negotiating a deal,” wrote the editors in an editorial. Inhofe became involved when Democrats refused to let the Senate energy bill advance unless a $600 million emergency appropriation be included to pay for public health measures in Flint. The editorial said Inhofe negotiated with Sen. Debbie Stabenow and came up with an agreement that appropriates $70 million in loan subsidies for water projects nationwide including flood control, water reclamation and wastewater improvements.
“It’s worth highlighting a bipartisan deal in the Senate that would benefit the city of Flint and water systems nationwide—if obstructionists would get out of the way,” said the editorial. The paper went on to state that Utah Sen. Mike Lee however has put a hold on the bill.
“Mr. Lee’s protests have also emboldened ransom-seeking by Florida Democrat Bill Nelson, who last week placed a hold on the bill to force Republicans to drop an amendment that increases federal-state revenue sharing for offshore oil drilling. Mr. Nelson fears more revenues would encourage states to expand drilling offshore. Well, yes,” said the editors. “Republicans and Democrats have a chance to show voters that they can address a genuine problem without adding to the deficit. It would be a pity to let this compromise go to waste.”
