GOP rep suggests JD Vance is “irresponsible” for advising residents of East Palestine to drink bottled water

Texas Republican Congressman Troy Nehls hinted Thursday that Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, was “irresponsible” for advising residents of East Palestine, Ohio to drink bottled water amid fears that the derailment A train carrying toxic chemicals earlier this month contaminated the city’s water supply.

While speaking to reporters around town earlier in the day, Vance said he personally wouldn’t drink the water to be safe.

“No… I think if I lived here I would drink the bottled water for now. Better to be safe than sorry, especially since it is provided for free. That’s the guidance I would give. And again, residents will make their own decisions about this, but my honest, personal advice is I’d drink the bottled water right now,” Vance said.

JD VANCE URGES BIDEN’S EPA ADMINISTRATOR TO DRINK POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED OHIO WATER WHEN HE CLAIMS IT’S SAFE

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) speaks during a press conference at the Capitol Triangle July 21, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Contrary to Vance’s advice, the EPA has said so not recognized any level of apprehension in the air or in the water. But reports have surfaced from residents in the area claiming that fish and other animals have died.

Fox later met with Nehls, who was visiting the derailment site in his role as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, and asked him about concerns about the safety of the water.

“The water in this community is potable,” he explained. “They have a water treatment plant. In fact, here I just walked into a local restaurant and said, ‘Put some tap water in here’ and I drank it. The water is safe to drink.”

I am a doctor and the Ohio train derailment has caused a major public health crisis

Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, will participate in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing entitled “Strengthening Airline Operations and Consumer Protection” at the Russell Building on Thursday, February 9, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

But Nehls said residents who have private wells and aren’t connected to the city’s water system should be concerned because their water isn’t going through the city’s water treatment plant. He encouraged these residents to have their water tested to make sure it’s safe to drink.

Fox then asked him about lawmakers who had suggested the city’s water could be contaminated as a result of the train derailment.

“I don’t see how that would help the situation. I would almost say that is irresponsible. I mean you have access to bottled water… that’s fine. But the point is, if the water is safe through the water treatment plant, why wouldn’t you encourage your residents to use that water? he said.

OHIO MOTHER BLASTS BIDEN EPA OFFICIALS FOR DEFENDING TRAIN DERAILMENT RESPONSE: ‘WE WILL FORGET’

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. About 50 cars derailed in a fiery, mangled mess on the outskirts of eastern Palestine on February 3. (Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies via AP)

“I just don’t see any benefit in it. Our local officials have demonstrated with the state that the water is safe to drink. I just had a drink. I’m not worried about that. The mayor would have had a drink with me if he were here right now. So you must be able to trust some of your local officials. The mayor, the fire chief, they all said the water was safe to drink. Drink the water,” he added.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to Vance’s office to comment on Nehl’s proposal, but received no response.