Chuck Schumer

Without successful investigation, prosecution, and meaningful punishment, deterrence is an illusion.

Criminals on Wall Street must be held to account; otherwise, one of the great foundations of this country--our capital markets--will simply fade away.

For example, during the hearing, Senator Schumer pointed to the example of Wheatfield, NY, where FEMA recently removed hundreds of properties from the new maps after the town challenged the findings.

I hope this Committee will study the work done by the Wharton School in this area.

I hope Congress can work with FEMA to ensure that these maps are accurately updated for all residents.

One final proposal that I would commend to this Committee is the Travelers Coastal Wind Zone Plan.

Any effort to try and deal with this is going to collapse.

I appreciate the fact that FEMA has done a much better job than was the previous case in the mapping.

I truly believe that before we go any further with the reauthorization of the Flood Insurance Program, we need to apply the brakes and fix these problems.

The idea that it never happened or it did not happen when the Long Island Express came through 70 years ago does not really get to the issue of the maps.

As the Senate debates reforms to the program, it is important we examine the facts on the ground.

I hope the Committee will further investigate this issue and report its findings.

I agree with the testimony of my friend and colleague, Senator Durbin, that we should work to pass a moratorium on the mandatory purchase requirement for 5 years until technological and implementation issues can be resolved.

Requiring homeowners in Flood Hazard Zones to purchase flood insurance is a necessary goal.

Flood insurance is expensive for families, often very, very expensive.

National Flood Insurance is an important program that has impacted people all across the country.

I give the President credit for supporting this concept with real dollars as it is a sign of his commitment to the long-term vision of rebuilding this country through smart, targeted investments.

It is incumbent upon this Congress to pass a National Infrastructure Bank authorization bill this year so that it can be stood up properly next year.

We must stop this cycle.

That cannot be the way of our future. That is not the America we know and love.

I was extremely encouraged with President Obama's recent announcement that he is asking Congress to create a National Infrastructure Bank.

The public, Republicans and Democrats alike, want to invest in infrastructure.

Your investment in the TIGER grant will create for Tennessee 5,100 jobs.

The truth is that infrastructure is directly related to America's economic strength.

Americans do not want big Government, but I will tell you what they do want.