FLINT, MI -- U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence has formally requested congressional hearings on Flint's water crisis.
Lawrence, D-Southfield, announced the move in a news release today, Jan. 14.
"We trust our government to protect the health and safety of our communities, and this includes the promise of clean water to drink and clean air to breath," Lawrence said in her statement.
The congresswoman is the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Governmental Reform Subcommittee on Interior.
In a letter requesting the hearing, Lawrence said she was concerned by "evidence" showing local and state government officials knew, or should have known, about the risks to human health posed by their decision to temporarily use the Flint River as a drinking water source in Flint from April 2014 until October 2015.
The Flint Journal-MLive could not immediately reach Dave Murray, press secretary for Gov. Rick Snyder, or Flint Mayor Karen Weaver for comment.