Kamala Harris Proposes Clean Drinking Water Plan, With Special Focus On At-Risk Communities
The legislation from Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a 2020 hopeful, would establish a $10 billion program to allow states to offset the cost of water bills in low-income communities and environmentally at-risk households. “Every American has the right to clean water, period,” Harris said. “We must take seriously the existential threat represented by future water shortages and acknowledge that communities across the country — particularly communities of color — already lack access to safe and affordable water."
The Associated Press:
Kamala Harris Proposes Bill To Invest In Safe Drinking Water
Sen. Kamala Harris is introducing legislation designed to ensure all Americans, particularly those in at-risk communities, have access to safe, affordable drinking water, the latest response to burgeoning water crises across the country. The California Democrat and presidential candidate’s “Water Justice Act” would invest nearly $220 billion in clean and safe drinking water programs, with priority given to high-risk communities and schools. As part of that, Harris’ plan would declare a drinking water infrastructure emergency, devoting $50 billion toward communities and schools where water is contaminated to test for contaminants and to remediate toxic infrastructure. (Summers, 7/22)
In other news —
Politico:
How Andrew Yang Would Improve Veterans' Services
2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang on Monday unveiled a wide-ranging proposal to improve services for veterans, including updates to the education, employment and health care benefits troops receive after leaving the military. (Feldscher, 7/22)
The Hill:
Trump Health Official Bashes Public Option As No Better Than 'Medicare For All'
A top Trump administration health official on Monday took aim at the idea of a “public option” health plan, which moderate Democrats have proposed as an alternative to “Medicare for All.” Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma on Monday said a government-backed public option would promote unfair competition, and would drive private insurers out of the market. (Weixel, 7/22)
