Rep. Scholten Defends Great Lakes, Urges Bipartisan Action to Protect Clean Water

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment (WRE) Subcommittee, filled in for Ranking Member Frederick Wilson in a Subcommittee hearing on the Clean Water Act. In her opening remarks, Rep. Scholten voiced concerns about President Trump’s executive actions that would threaten water infrastructure investments, raise costs, and cut American jobs.

“The silence of my colleagues across the aisle, whose states and communities are equally impacted by the president’s moves to undermine water infrastructure spending, is surprising and discouraging. It is my sincere hope that this silence is not a green light for further reductions in federal water infrastructure spending,” said Rep. Scholten. “Our communities cannot withstand further setbacks to federal and state efforts to protect our water and environment. We cannot allow the president and his allies to burden American families with increased costs and public health risks.”

WATCH: Scholten Delivers Remarks during Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Hearing

Scholten emphasized the critical role of clean water in public health, economic development, and environmental stewardship, particularly for communities in Michigan that depend on the Great Lakes. She warned of the potential consequences of President Trump’s decision to freeze federal water infrastructure funding–causing unnecessary delays in essential projects, increasing costs, and threatening tens of thousands of American jobs.

During the hearing, Scholten spoke on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Clean Water Act, emphasizing that recent efforts to weaken its protections could shift financial burdens from polluters onto Americans. She urged bipartisan cooperation to ensure continued investment in environmental protections.

Concluding her opening remarks, Scholten highlighted her commitment to working with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle, local officials, and environmental advocates to secure sustainable, long-term solutions for water infrastructure.

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