Harris unveils drinking-water act

In California, 1M lack access to safe supply

WASHINGTON — 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.

The legislation also 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. Additionally, Harris would invest $20 billion in sustainable water supply, recycling and conservation programs.

Harris is focusing on the issue as she and other 2020 Democratic presidential candidates turn their sights on Michigan, where the city of Flint has faced a major water crisis. Harris, who launched her campaign in January, is among the party’s candidates speaking at the NAACP’S national convention in Michigan this week. And 20 candidates seeking their party’s nomination will take the stage for the party’s second set of presidential debates in Detroit on July 30-31.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, who this year visited Flint and released a plan to combat lead exposure, and Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Cory Booker of New Jersey, who traveled to Denmark, South Carolina, where residents have struggled with tainted water.

Elsewhere on the campaign trail:

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’rourke announced his first five campaign staff hires in Nevada. O’rourke, a former Texas congressman, has been relying on volunteers and traveling staff on recent campaign visits to Nevada.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan iendorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 race for the White House.

Charlie Neibergall The Associated Press Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-calif., arrives at a Women of Color roundtable discussion Tuesday in Davenport, Iowa.