The U.S. Senate passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 yesterday, a bill co-authored by U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee and member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee.
She joined Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tom Carper (D-DE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in sponsoring this legislation. The legislation passed by a vote of 89-2.
"This bipartisan solution gives states the flexibility they need to improve their infrastructure, and establishes programs geared toward small and rural public water systems like those across my home state of Wyoming," Senator Lummis said. "The updates and improvements that we are making under this bill are essential for communities in Wyoming as well as tribes across the nation.
"This bill also gives me hope that we can pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill that equitably addresses aging infrastructure in rural and urban communities alike at a price that taxpayers can afford. I look forward to continuing to work with the leadership of the Environment and Public Works Committee, as well as my colleagues on the Commerce and Banking Committees, to pass bipartisan legislation that addresses Wyoming's, and America's, infrastructure challenges."
The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act extends expired authorities under the Safe Drinking Water Act and provides assistance for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities, which will help communities across Wyoming improve and expand their drinking water and waste water infrastructure.
Senator Lummis serves as Ranking Member (the minority leader) of the Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee.