[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 105 (Thursday, July 15, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H5621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM

  (Mr. McNERNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of today's flood 
insurance reform legislation, but also to express my deep frustration 
with FEMA's decision to increase flood insurance rates for many 
residents of Stockton, California.
  Prior to issuing new flood maps last year for central Stockton, FEMA 
encouraged residents to purchase flood insurance early so they could 
take advantage of the lower-cost preferred rates. In May, FEMA decided 
to extend those preferred rates for 2 years, a welcome decision.
  But for reasons that remain difficult to understand, FEMA delayed the 
effective date of extension until January of 2011, effectively creating 
a donut hole in the availability of preferred rate coverage. As a 
result, residents who must renew their policies before the end of the 
year are suffering rates many times higher than what they expected, 
placing a serious burden on family budgets.
  I urge FEMA, in the strongest possible terms, to allow Stockton 
residents to renew their policies without delay.

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