Political Quotes

“The underlying bill authorizes grants to local communities to reach out to homeowners and communities about the flood insurance program and flood risk. As we know, the process by which homeowners receive notification of new flood maps is severely lacking. Too often, homeowners learn that they are in a floodplain when they receive a letter from their mortgage company informing them that they have 45 days to buy flood insurance or it will be purchased on their behalf. Local communities are supposed to inform residents about new maps. However, communities often receive little notification from FEMA themselves. Also, some communities simply lack the resources to do the type of notification that is necessary to ensure that homeowners are aware of changes to the flood maps. By providing a grant program to assist communities, the underlying bill would address this problem. The gentleman's amendment would require the director of the flood insurance program to submit annual reports to the Congress on the effectiveness of these grants. I think that is important.”