WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The lead contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan was the topic of discussion for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, each of its representatives saying their piece.
But the words from Pennsylvania congressman and Moosic resident Matt Cartwright are resonating far past the nation's capital. His speech after questioning Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has gone viral.
"Plausible deniability only works when it's plausible and I'm not buying that you didn't know about this until October 2015. You were not in a medically induced coma for a year," Rep. Cartwright said during his speech.
Congressman Cartwright interrupts the governor a few times, before eventually calling for his resignation.
"I've had about enough of your false contrition and phony apologies," Cartwright added.
Newswatch 16 spoke with the congressman over the phone Thursday and he admits he felt he lost his composure when Governor Snyder avoided answering his questions.
"The governor of Michigan has a lot to answer for and really hasn't been forthcoming with how long he knew about the problem. So I was questioning him about that and he wasn't giving me good answers," Cartwright said in an interview with Newswatch 16.
The video of Cartwright's speech has been viewed at least 600,000 times on Facebook and has incited a lot of feedback. On the congressman's page alone, dozens of comments were from Michigan residents.
Facebook user George Kerby wrote: "We are counting on the US Congress to rein him in, and you have shown the fortitude to do so."
While the majority of comments are in support of Cartwright, some thought the congressman used the platform as a form of self-promotion.
Congressman Cartwright told Newswatch 16 the crisis in Flint has motivated him here locally. He has been working with state officials on methods to prevent lead contamination in northeastern Pennsylvania's water like what happened in Flint.