Ted Deutch: “I thank my friend for yielding. Madam Speaker, last week, the President called on Congress to embark on a year of…”

“I thank my friend for yielding. Madam Speaker, last week, the President called on Congress to embark on a year of action--one in which we all work together to put opportunity and financial security within the grasp of America's families. Just a few days later, the Senate took bipartisan action to protect thousands of homeowners in my home State of Florida and across the country from massive premium hikes on their flood insurance. These hikes are breaking the backs of America's families. They are bringing down home values at a time when our housing market is just starting to pick up again. There is no question that the financial health of the thousands of families who could lose their homes as a result of these premium rate increases has to be an urgent priority of this House. Rather than gutting environmental protections, let's focus on the concerns of real homeowners. Let's pass the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act so that FEMA can reform the flood insurance program and protect America's families at the same time. It is urgent that we move forward. I thank the gentleman for making this an urgent priority. The way to do this is to proceed with this today.”