Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2954, Public Access and Loans Improvement Act, and Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3964, Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Emergency Water Delivery Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, anyone watching this debate, I think, understands why the American public is so turned off by this Congress. This is a bill which was brought to the floor in a hyperpartisan process, bypassing the committee, hyperdivisive, and it is going absolutely nowhere. In the meantime, we have an economy which needs this Congress to act.

A few days ago, the Senate did act on a bipartisan basis to pass the Menendez-Isakson Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which will help coastal properties that are now locking up because of skyrocketing flood insurance premiums which the Senate bill will fix.

Again, 182 cosponsors in the House, bipartisan. We have the support of the Bankers Association, Realtors, housing advocates, a broad consensus, broad bipartisan support. It will help the real estate market, which will drive this recovery in a positive direction.

Let's act on that, amend the rule. Let's bring up the flood insurance relief program and put this underlying bill back to committee where it belongs, where many of these thorny issues can be worked out by Members on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the State of California.

Pass the flood insurance.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. COURTNEY. Let's pass this flood insurance measure. In southeastern Connecticut, coastal properties, again, if you talk to the Realtors, you talk to the bankers, these properties are locking up because of the increase in flood insurance premiums.

We can change that today, right now. Get this bill to the President for signature. Let's get this recovery moving. Let's listen to the American people who want to see bipartisan action that is focused on the number one issue facing this country, which is getting a strong economic recovery.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source