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WASHINGTON – Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) is taking credit for helping to bring $94.3 million to his state to reduce lead in drinking water — except that federal money is flowing from a bill he voted against: President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law.
“Great news for Wisconsin! Proud to have worked to bring safe drinking water funding to our state,” Steil said Wednesday on social media. He shared a screenshot and link to an Environmental Protection Agency press release announcing the funding.
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This money is being awarded to states through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which drawsits funds from a $15 billion pool established under the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Steil voted against this bill when it passed the House in November 2021.
“Today, I voted against the so-called infrastructure portion of Speaker Pelosi and President Biden’s $3 trillion spending agenda,” the Wisconsin Republican said at the time.
“We should be making investments in our nation’s infrastructure, but through a smart, targeted approach that is focused on real infrastructure. Unfortunately, this bill is not paid for, will fund Green New Deal subsidies, and only directs a small portion of spending towards improving our roads and bridges,” Steil said. “I will continue voting against wasteful spending in Washington and protect Southeast Wisconsin families’ pocketbooks.”
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Asked for comment, a Steil spokesperson listed off various ways the congressman has supported safe drinking water in his state, including his votes for annual appropriations bills, but glossed over the fact that he voted against the bill that provided the $94.3 million Wisconsin is now getting.
“Rep. Steil has consistently worked to support safe drinking water investments for Wisconsin communities, including by supporting and protecting the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which funds Wisconsin’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, the federal-state program through which this funding is being delivered to Wisconsin,” the spokesperson said in a Thursday statement.
“His advocacy on clean water issues also includes working with the community of Hales Corners, WI to address PFAS contamination, where assistance through Wisconsin’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program helped connect impacted residents to the Milwaukee Water System,” said the spokesperson.
House Republicans have tried to take credit for projects funded by the infrastructure bill so many times — despite voting against it — that it became a punchline for Biden. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) was caught doing it, as was Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) and former Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas). House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) repeatedly criticized the bill and voted against it — and then quietly asked for money from it.
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“I’ve seen them out there,” Biden said with a laugh at a September 2022 event. “‘And now we’re going to build this new bridge here.’ We’re all for it. ‘And by the way, this new road. And we’re going to have an internet that’s going to be all’ – I love them, man. They ain’t got no shame.”
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