Hillary Clinton Blasts Handling Of Flint, Michigan Water Crisis As ‘Immoral,’ Demands Congress Action
Hillary Clinton is sounding more presidential as the 2016 Elections near. The former First Lady, senator, and Secretary of State took a timeout from campaigning ahead of the New Hampshire Primary and turned her attention to the travesty in Flint, Michigan, according to an NBC News report.
During a Sunday service, Clinton addressed a packed congregation at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church where she called on the federal government, namely Congress, to pass emergency legislation to free up funds to provide relief to the residents plagued by the city’s water contamination. Reportedly, corroded pipes are behind the city’s predicament.
The presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States of America quoted Psalm 118:24 of the Bible: “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” She then talked about the response in wake of the water debacle.
“This has to be a national priority. What happened in Flint is immoral. The children of Flint are just as precious as the children of any part of America.
“Clean water is not optional, my friends. It’s not a luxury. This is not merely unacceptable or wrong. What happened in Flint is immoral. Children in Flint are just as precious as children in any part of America.”
Clinton talked passionately about the crisis and called on lawmakers to free up $200 million. This figure, at a minimum, will replace Flint’s aging infrastructure and modernize the water treatment facilities. In turn, residents can rest assured that they have clean and toxin-free drinking water.
Hillary Clinton visits Flint, Michigan on Super Bowl Sunday https://t.co/fj5YYczObR pic.twitter.com/klcqHCkmfv
— Global Calgary (@GlobalCalgary) February 7, 2016
Hillary Clinton offered warm praise and admiration for Mayor Weaver, who took the helm recently and is not part of the moving parts that led to the water crisis in Flint. Clinton told the crowd about how she wished her visit would have been under different circumstances in order to celebrate the great things the city has done over the years to improve its standing. However, she emphasized how important it is for the community to work together for the common cause of remediation.
AP VIDEO: @HillaryClinton pauses the NH campaign to meet with Flint, Michigan, residents about water crisis. https://t.co/kqlfh2G7Kp
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) February 7, 2016
It’s not the first time Clinton has voiced concern about the developments in Flint. Just last month, she spoke about the optics of the speed at which officials are moving. Some compare the situation in the beleaguered Michigan city to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Many place blame on the state’s Republican governor, Richard Dale Snyder, and have called for him to step down. Others have called for his arrest and characterize his actions as criminal.
Clinton shared stories about her conversations with locals and how it touch her heart to hear stories of despair. She even suggested that residents be allowed to take part in the rebuilding of their city. This instills a sense of power and belonging.
“I was so angry. I was outraged and I know you must feel exactly the same. Repairing trust is as important as repairing pipes.”
Pastor Kenneth Stewart spoke to his flock before introducing Clinton.
“No matter how bad the water is, life is still worth living. God is just reminding Flint that: ‘I didn’t forget you.'”
Some have accused Hillary Clinton of politicizing the water calamity in Flint, Michigan. Critics point to her leaving New Hampshire despite trailing Senator Bernie Sanders, who, according to the latest tracking polls, holds a sizable lead over the frontrunner.
Others say it’s part of a strategy designed to give her an edge in future contests and on Super Tuesday. Still, those close to her argue that it’s who Clinton is: the nurturer and future “President of the People” — or as Barack Obama says, for “the least of these.”
[Photo by Sarah Rice/Getty Images]
