Texas Senator Speaks Out Against EPA In Flint

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FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Texas Senator John Cornyn has said that it "certainly appears that the EPA did not take action" or at least alert the public about lead contamination in Flint's water.

The senator made the remarks, along with Senators David Vitter of Louisiana and James Inhofe of Oklahoma, as they launched a inquiry into the actions taken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The three GOP senators sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy saying that the agency failed in its stated mission to protect human health and the environment.

These accusations at the national level come days before Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is set to meet with the state Legislature to outline his plan for how to handle the Flint crisis. The plan calls for providing aid to cover residential customers' utility bills for water that was or will be used for drinking, cooking, or bathing between April 2014, when the water source was switched, and this spring.

Flint was put under a public health emergency after its drinking water became tainted last year. The situation drew more national attention when some children's blood tested positive for lead, a potent neurotoxin linked to learning disabilities, lower IQ and behavioral problems.

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