LANSING, Mich. (CN) - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder told reporters on Tuesday that the federal government is to blame for the city of Flint's lead-poisoned water supply.
"They failed to do a lot of things in this process," Snyder said. He accused the feds of not identifying the issue and not bringing it to the attention of the appropriate governing bodies, state or federal.
"They still haven't fully acknowledged all their issues," he said.
This is the first time Snyder has addressed the issue of who is to blame for Flint's water crisis. He declined to attend two separate congressional hearings on the subject earlier this month.
President Barack Obama declared a federal emergency in Flint on Jan. 16, signing an order making federal assistance as the city grapples with its lead-tainted water supply.
In April 2014, a state-appointed emergency manager switched the city's water supply from the Detroit Water Plant to the Flint River as a cost-saving measure. Since then, Flint has seen a spike in lead poisoning and cases of Legionnaires disease, some resulting in death.
"We'll move forward with our issues, and I expect hopefully people are asking good, tough questions of the federal government," Snyder, a Republican, said. "They should be asked."
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