“The governor appreciated the opportunity to testify to help bring attention to how all levels of government failed the people of Flint and what we are doing at the state level to ensure it never happens again in Michigan,” she said.

The thoughts on the outcome of the hearing were somewhat polarizing as some thought he did well while others were less than thrilled with Snyder’s responses.

Democrats tended to focus on what Snyder controlled before and during the crisis. Republicans, on the other hand, erred on the side of placing blame on the Environmental Protection Agency.

MSU students weighed in on the fallout of the congressional hearing and opinions varied.

“The hearing was something that needed to be done, and I’m glad it happened,” Political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore Ron Owens III said.

Owens, a member of MSU College Democrats, said he felt Snyder, as well as the EPA administrator, did not do enough to address the tough questions posed to them as well as how to further aid the citizens of Flint.

“They played around with their words, gave political answers, and put the blame on each other," he said. "The people of Flint deserved better."

Further, Owens said the panel’s partiality toward their respective political affiliations was inappropriate.

“Both governor Snyder and the EPA Administrator were asked tough questions, but I was not satisfied with their answers,” he said.

On the other side of the aisle, the MSU College Republicans applauded Snyder’s responses to the hearing and said he respectfully answered the questions and offered proactive solutions.

“Governor Rick Snyder once again showed us why he is the right person to lead us,” according to a statement from the MSU College Republicans. 

However, regardless of political party affiliation, students can agree the congressional hearing needed to happen.

“The people of America, and most importantly, the people of Flint, had the right to hear their Governor, and others who took part in letting this man-made tragedy happen, be asked the tough questions,” Owens said.