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Senate Action Still Necessary to Avoid NFIP Lapse 

After the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would extend the NFIP through Nov. 30, the timing for consideration of the measure in the U.S. Senate remains uncertain.
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Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill by Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) and Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-New Jersey) that would extend the NFIP on a short-term basis through Nov. 30, the end of this year’s hurricane season. The Big “I” supported these efforts.

While the bill passed quickly and overwhelmingly in the House—366 representatives voted in favor, thanks in large part to grassroots efforts by Big “I” members and Hill advocacy by the Big “I” Federal Government Affairs team —the timing for consideration of the measure in the U.S. Senate remains uncertain. The NFIP will expire at midnight on July 31, unless the Senate acts.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office stated emphatically that the Senate plans to consider the House-passed measure before the upper chamber recesses on Aug. 6, but that does open the potential for a very short lapse with the program expiring at the end of the month. The Big “I” has created a one-page document outlining resources available to agents in the event of a lapse. Members must log in to view the document.

Under Senate rules, consideration of the extension could continue beyond July 31 if one or more senators object to its passage. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) has already stated an intent to object to the measure and that could push Senate deliberation past the July 31 deadline.

As such, the Big “I” encourages agents and brokers across the country to continue to call the offices of their senators and urge them to reauthorize the NFIP before it expires on July 31. A lapse in the program, especially during the height of hurricane season, will leave millions of Americans at risk.

The Big “I” supports a long-term reauthorization of a modernized NFIP that would increase take-up rates for flood insurance in both the NFIP and the private market. However, Congress has yet to agree to a consensus measure to keep the program operating into 2019. While debate continues, the Senate must act to keep the NFIP available for over 5 million policyholders who rely on it.

Stay tuned to Big “I” social media and the News & Views e-newsletter for updates.

Jennifer Webb is Big “I” federal government affairs counsel.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Flood