On the recordJuly 14, 2016
Mr. Speaker, in 2012, constituents of mine, the Welberrys, purchased a home in Cedar Key, Florida. Two years later, their Federal flood insurance was canceled retroactively due to a determination that the property was partially located within a COBRA zone. For over 12 years, this property was zoned outside of the adjacent COBRA zone, and, for 12 years, it was covered by the Federal flood insurance. Yet, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife updates its maps, the Welberrys' entire retirement investment is threatened due to the government's inconsistency. The Welberrys' home did not move--just the map of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Mrs. Welberry pleaded: The government cannot be allowed to erase our life savings like this. If you want to talk about covering preexisting conditions, how many constituents are going through this nightmare? Congress needs to know. Chairman Calvert and the Appropriations Committee agree; and our amendment, which requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to conduct a study on how COBRA zones affect private property, was accepted last night. Congress needs to know. ____________________





