Political Quotes

“I rise today in very strong support of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act and urge my colleagues to vote today to pass this legislation that will help millions of Americans across the country. First, I want to recognize the admirable leadership of Senators Menendez, Isakson, and Landrieu for helping to put together such a strong coalition amidst some challenging political headwinds. Senator Landrieu, in particular, has been like Paul Revere in the night for not only calling our attention to the detrimental elements of the Biggert-Waters bill but for continuing to emphasize this bill's importance to States from coast to coast. Senator Menendez and I share the New York-New Jersey coast, as does the Presiding Officer, and that, of course, has been devastated. I will briefly say what has happened here. Literally tens of thousands of Americans will lose their homes--middle-class Americans, working-class Americans, and poor Americans--if we don't pass this legislation. Very simply, Biggert-Waters was not followed. Before increases were to go into effect, an affordability study was to be done. It was not. As a result, homeowners are having to pay thousands of dollars more. Homeowners who paid $500 a year for flood insurance-- it is mandatory--now pay $4,000 or $5,000. There are some who pay as much as $30,000.…”