WATCH: Congressman Slams Governor for Flint: ‘You Were Not in a Medically Induced Coma for a Year’

‘Plausible Deniability Only Works When It’s Plausible,’ Democratic Lawmaker Tells Michigan Governor

Democratic Congressman Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania had several minutes of strong words for Governor Rick Snyder Thursday morning, culminating in his call for the Michigan Republican to resign.

After reviewing a list of diseases and health crises caused by Snyder’s administration’s decision to switch Flint’s drinking water then ignoring the poisoning of its residents, Rep. Cartwright slammed Snyder.

“You admit here today that even after the whole world knew that even after Flint residents were exposed to unimaginable levels of lead, you did not declare a state of emergency until January 2016. Is that true?,” Cartwright demanded at this morning’s House Oversight Committee’s hearing on the Flint crisis.

NOW: Watch Live Now: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Testifies Before Congress On Flint Water Crisis

“Gov. Snyder, plausible deniability only works when it’s plausible. And I’m not buying that you didn’t know about any of this until October 2015,” Cartwright said.

“You were not in a medically induced coma for a year. And I’ve had about enough of your false contrition and your phony apologies.”

Cartwright, a former trial attorney, also challenged Snyder, noting that former EPA administrator Susan Hedman “bears not one-tenth of the responsibility of the state of Michigan and your administration and she resigned.”

“There you are dripping with guilt, but drawing your paycheck, hiring lawyers at the expense of the people, and doing your dead level best to spread accountability to others and not being accountable,” Cartwright continued. “It’s not appropriate.”

“Pretty soon, we will have men who strike their wives saying, ‘I’m sorry, dear, but there were failures at all levels,’” the Pennsylvania Democrat said. Visitors in the gallery let out various sounds of shock.

“People who put dollars over the fundamental safety of the people do not belong in government. And you need to resign too, Gov. Snyder.”

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Image: Screenshot via YouTube