NAMIC Frustrated Over Senate’s Lack of Vote to Extend Flood Insurance

A provision to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was voted against today by the Senate. The NFIP extension, along with short-term extensions for numerous other federal programs, was passed by the House prior to the Memorial Day holiday. But today it was voted down by the Senate due to concerns that other unrelated bill provisions would add to the federal budget deficit.

Source: Source: NAMIC | Published on June 17, 2010

The Senate vote drew criticism from the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).

"It's been over two weeks since the National Flood Insurance Program was allowed to expire, and the program is still being held up because of unrelated issues," said Jimi Grande, NAMIC senior vice president of federal and political affairs. "This lack of action by Congress is unacceptable, particularly when we're in the first few weeks of the 2010 hurricane season."

The Atlantic storm season began June 1 and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted that 2010 will be among the most active seasons ever. The NOAA predicts that 2010 will see 14 to 23 named storms, with eight to 14 of those developing into hurricanes. Of those, the NOAA has said that three to seven may develop into Category 3 or above hurricanes with winds of over 110 miles per hour.

"We cannot afford to have political disagreements get in the way of protecting millions of Americans from flood losses," Grande said.