Congressional Hearing on Federal Oversight of Flint Water Crisis
January 1, 2017
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The Frame
The hearing examines the accountability and decision-making processes of federal and local officials during the Flint water crisis, which resulted in widespread lead contamination of the city's public water supply.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Flint Residents
Residents experienced the impact of the city's water source change and subsequent water quality issues.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The agency's regulatory oversight and administrative actions were the primary subjects of the committee's investigation.
Last recorded activity January 1, 2017.
Next step not available in the current record.
Summary
Key Facts
- The hearing took place on March 15, 2016, in the Rayburn Office Building.
- The committee investigated the federal administration of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Flint, Michigan.
- Witnesses included Susan Hedman (former EPA Region 5 Administrator), Darnell Earley (former Flint Emergency Manager), Dayne Walling (former Flint Mayor), and Marc Edwards (Professor at Virginia Tech).
- The committee entered several documents into the record, including EPA emails regarding financial practices and corrosion control, and water authority contracts.
- The hearing addressed the 2013 decision to change the city's water source.
- The committee noted that Flint had high water rates despite significant water quality issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of this hearing?
Who testified at the hearing?
Why It Matters
The hearing examines the accountability and decision-making processes of federal and local officials during the Flint water crisis, which resulted in widespread lead contamination of the city's public water supply.
News Coverage
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Federal Oversight Scrutiny
The hearing highlights a significant shift toward intense congressional oversight of EPA regional administrative decisions following the Flint crisis.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance90How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment60Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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