"For all practical purposes, private insurance coverage for wind damage is no longer available in the Gulf Coast area since Hurricane Katrina."
"After Hurricane Katrina, we learned that flood hazard risk in many coastal areas of Mississippi and many parts of the country was not accurately reflected by FEMA's flood insurance maps."
"I still support the multiperil debate, although I understand the arguments against it."
"The legislation I have introduced, S. 3672, would remove the property owner from this debate and put the burden where it belongs, on the insurers."
"I appreciate your holding this hearing, and I am grateful for the Committee giving me the opportunity to appear today as a witness on the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program."
"In this year alone, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has lapsed three times, creating uncertainty and unnecessary problems for property owners who rely on the NFIP for flood insurance."
"I am glad that the Senate voted last night by unanimous consent to extend the NFIP through September of next year."
"the NFIP needs to be reauthorized on a long-term basis and in a way that addresses some of the unique challenges that residents along coastal areas face."
"One of the best things that Congress could do for the Gulf Coast region... is to resolve the nuances associated with insuring against hurricanes."
"In 2008, I attempted to address this problem by offering an amendment that would have added wind coverage to the National Flood Insurance Program on a voluntary basis."
"The destruction or cloning of human embryos for research purposes raises profound moral and ethical challenges."
"The Federal Government should not be involved in subsidizing this controversial life-altering research with taxpayer dollars."