Two Republican senators are blocking a deal over aid for the Flint, Mich., drinking water crisis.
Republican Sens. Mike Lee (Utah) and David Vitter (La.) are both blocking the agreement, two Senate aides told The Hill.
{mosads}Senators can use the procedural move to anonymously stall legislation or a nomination without having to publicly announce their opposition, though some do.
Vitter, whom Democrats previously suggested was slowing down a larger energy bill, said that he was “quite hopeful” the Senate would soon be able to move forward.
“In the meantime, I’m working with my colleagues to ensure that my language to help promote fishing opportunities for anglers in the Gulf is not neglected in the process,” he added in a statement.
The Louisiana Republican’s fishing-related provisions were included in a sportsman’s bill passed out of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
That legislation, however, has not been added to the the energy bill, while another sportsman’s bill from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee — which has more Democratic support — was included.
Meanwhile, Lee is blocking the deal over concerns about funding, Senate procedure and whether the drinking water crisis is a local issue, according to The Daily Beast, which first reported the hold.
Key senators suggested this week that talks on the deal are ongoing. Negotations on Flint are entwined with a larger bipartisan energy reform bill, after Democrats pledged to block the legislation until they get an agreement to give aid to Flint.
The procedural roadblocks are the the latest hurdles for a bipartisan group of senators that has been trying for approximately a month to get a deal, which requires the agreement of every senator.
Lawmakers announced late last month that they had reached a $250 million deal, but quickly ran into budget problems as well as pushback from some conservative lawmakers.
Democrats initially wanted $600 million in aid, including $400 million to match state funds to repair and replace old pipes in the city and the balance going to a research and education center on lead poisoning.