Political Quotes

“Mr. President, in the couple minutes before the vote starts, I just want to say this is a huge move for the people of the gulf coast who have been trying to purchase flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program that lapsed June 1. The hardship is that, of course, we are going into hurricane season. Private insurance is not available on the coast for floods right now, so the Federal program is all there is. People have not been able to close on housing contracts, on purchases of houses, because flood insurance is required and they have not been able to get it. So Senator Landrieu, Senator Vitter, I, Senator Cornyn, Senator Sessions, Senator Shelby, Senator Nelson, Senator LeMieux--everyone has been very concerned about this if we represent a border State--and Senator Cochran and Senator Wicker. So we have been pressing, and I know there have been a lot of competing interests. But it is very important we are passing the bill that has passed the House already. It will be sent to the President, and the people of the gulf coast will once again be able to purchase that flood insurance, as we see a tropical storm moving toward our gulf coast as we speak. So it is certainly timely. It will certainly be a relief, and the extension will be until September 30. So the people who want to purchase insurance, which, of course, they need and will know they are covered, will be covered. I thank the Chair. I thank the leader as well. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore.…”