OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Flood Insurance Reform

Floor Speech

Date: July 15, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of today's flood insurance reform legislation, but also to express my deep frustration with FEMA's decision to increase flood insurance rates for many residents of Stockton, California.

Prior to issuing new flood maps last year for central Stockton, FEMA encouraged residents to purchase flood insurance early so they could take advantage of the lower-cost preferred rates. In May, FEMA decided to extend those preferred rates for 2 years, a welcome decision.

But for reasons that remain difficult to understand, FEMA delayed the effective date of extension until January of 2011, effectively creating a donut hole in the availability of preferred rate coverage. As a result, residents who must renew their policies before the end of the year are suffering rates many times higher than what they expected, placing a serious burden on family budgets.

I urge FEMA, in the strongest possible terms, to allow Stockton residents to renew their policies without delay.


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