On March 14, the federal government avoided a shutdown following the Senate’s passage of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year. Included in the CR was an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until September 30.
This latest extension marks the 33rd short-term extension of the NFIP. Its most recent five-year reauthorization expired in 2017, and, in advance of that deadline, the 115th Congress was unable to agree on NFIP reforms, leading to a seemingly endless string of short-term extensions.
PIA supports a long-term reauthorization of the program with needed reforms, like investments in agent training, updated mapping, and a means-tested affordability program. However, the members of Congress remain unable to agree on reforms to the program. Without comprehensive improvements, the reauthorization of the current program will remain a subject of continued debate on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of Congress.
PIA will continue to work with lawmakers to bolster support for a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP with necessary reforms.