Barney Frank: “for my remaining 30 seconds, I want to send a message to FEMA. The gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Melancon) has called to…”

“for my remaining 30 seconds, I want to send a message to FEMA. The gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Melancon) has called to our attention a delay on the part of FEMA in telling people what elevations are required for new construction or replacement construction in the flooded areas. Until they have those elevations, they cannot proceed with the construction, and the gentleman told me we have been told there is a delay of perhaps up to 2 years. That is clearly unacceptable. So had we been able to bring a substitute bill to the floor, we were going to address that issue. I hope FEMA will listen. I think I speak for both sides. I know the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker) agreed with this when we raised it in committee that FEMA will promptly do the elevations necessary so that construction can proceed.”