WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved a wide-ranging bill to approve water projects across the country, including $170 million to address lead in Flint, Michigan’s drinking water and $558 million to provide relief to drought-stricken California.
The bill was approved Thursday on a vote of 360-61 even as some Democrats complained that the drought measure was a giveaway to California farmers and businesses.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican who brokered the water deal with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, said the agreement solves a problem years in the making. He said the measure will increase water delivery to the San Joaquin Valley and southern California and streamline infrastructure projects to secure future water supplies.
Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California has vowed to defeat the drought measure in the Senate.
