Jon Tester: “I rise in support of a bill we will take up soon to reauthorize the Flood Insurance Program. Nine months ago the Senate…”

“I rise in support of a bill we will take up soon to reauthorize the Flood Insurance Program. Nine months ago the Senate Banking Committee passed long-term flood insurance reauthorization with overwhelming bipartisan support. Five months ago Senator Vitter and I, along with 39 Members of this body, wrote our leadership urging that the bill be brought to the floor, but today, this week, we will finally consider this much needed piece of legislation, and I thank Senator Reid for his willingness to bring it to the Senate floor. I want to first and foremost thank Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Shelby for their excellent work in drafting this bill. I commend them for their efforts to build consensus on this important piece of legislation. I thank my colleague Senator Vitter for his leadership and partnership in working with me to help influence this bill in a way that reflects broad bipartisan support. Together we added a number of provisions to improve the initial draft. These provisions include one that addresses a critical issue in my State. When this bill is passed, the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA will finally have to work together to develop common standards that will allow existing Corps levee inspections to meet FEMA certification criteria.…”