On Tuesday, Representative Rashida Tlaib, a member of the House Oversight Committee, requested that Chairman Carolyn Maloney refer former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to the Department of Justice for investigation. Tlaib cited Snyder’s role in the Flint water crisis as a potential violation of federal law.
The Flint water crisis began in 2014 when the city switched its water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River. The river was not treated properly, leading to lead contamination in the drinking water. As a result, thousands of Flint residents were exposed to lead-contaminated water for years, leading to a host of health problems.
Snyder was governor of Michigan from 2011 to 2019 and was in office during the time of the Flint water crisis. He has been widely criticized for his handling of the situation and has been accused of negligence and mismanagement.
In her letter to Maloney, Tlaib wrote that Snyder’s actions “may have violated federal laws, including the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.” She also noted that Snyder “may have committed perjury before Congress” when he testified about the Flint water crisis in 2016.
Tlaib is calling for an investigation into Snyder’s actions and has asked Maloney to refer him to the Department of Justice for further review. She believes that an investigation is necessary in order to hold Snyder accountable for his role in the Flint water crisis and to ensure that similar disasters are prevented in the future.
The House Oversight Committee is currently investigating the Flint water crisis and has already heard testimony from several witnesses, including Snyder. It is unclear at this time if Maloney will refer Snyder to the Department of Justice for investigation, but Tlaib’s request highlights the need for accountability in this case.
