NJ, NY Senators Meet with FEMA Chief; Announce Major Action for Sandy Victims

Press Release

Following a meeting this afternoon with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) and Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (both D-N.Y.) announced that the agency has agreed to reopen and review every flood insurance claim--approximately 144,000--filed by Sandy victims, and not limit corrective action to just the 2,200 currently in litigation. Today's announcement builds on a series of actions and reforms the Senators have secured to resolve Sandy victims' claims backed up by evidence of being victimized by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and to hold the agency accountable for its oversight responsibility.

"We had a very good meeting today with FEMA Administrator Fugate, who not only reaffirmed that the agency is implementing the comprehensive reforms we have demanded, but that FEMA has begun to set in place a process to reopen and review every flood insurance claim filed by Sandy victims who are not in litigation," said Sen. Menendez. "This is a significant turnaround for the thousands of Sandy survivors who have been victimized not only by the storm, but by FEMA, insurance companies and their subcontractors who systemically lowballed claims. For months and months, I have been fighting to expose this scandal and make sure Sandy victims get what they're entitled to and I'm pleased FEMA has admitted there are big problems and has committed to fixing them. I intend to hold their feet to the fire every step of the way to ensure Sandy survivors receive the fair treatment they deserve."

"Families and businesses in New Jersey and throughout our region deserve nothing short of FEMA's commitment to right this despicable wrong," said Sen. Booker. "I am encouraged that FEMA has taken swift, decisive action to fully remedy the denied flood insurance claims and possible fraudulent practices that have now been exposed. The revelations were outrageous and I am committed to working with my colleagues to hold FEMA accountable. This is about transparency, it's about accountability, and it's about justice for our constituents."

"In this meeting, FEMA acknowledged its failure to oversee a flood insurance program that cheated Superstorm Sandy victims out of much-needed funding to rebuild their homes and get their lives back on track," said Sen. Schumer. "Amongst many necessary reforms, I am particularly pleased that FEMA Administrator Fugate and Brad Kieserman have heard our call and will reopen and review all 144,000 flood insurance claims made by Sandy victims- a critically necessary move. FEMA also made clear that it plans to hold accountable all those who were involved in the program that may have facilitated or fostered this fraudulent behavior. I will continue to work hard, alongside my colleagues, until the National Flood Insurance Program does what it's supposed to do: fairly pay storm victims, on time and for the damage they suffered."

"From the moment I saw the evidence of this fraud, my first thought was that someone should go to jail for this, so I called the NY Attorney General to ask him to take a look at it, and raised the issue with Administrator Fugate," said Sen. Gillibrand. "I am pleased the Attorney General is investigating this very closely and the seriousness the Administrator expressed today in making this right for homeowners and ensuring everyone involved in this fraud is held accountable. There needs to be top to bottom reform so that this can never happen again."