[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 105 (Thursday, July 15, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H5658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PROTECTING FLOODWAY PROPERTIES

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, thank you for your 
leadership; and, as well, I appreciate very much the debate that this 
House had just a few minutes ago about H.R. 5114, the Flood Insurance 
Reform Priorities Act of 2010. I rise to support that legislation and, 
specifically, to discuss an issue that really impacts all Americans.
  An amendment that I crafted, a very effective amendment, would have 
prohibited States and local governments from misusing new Federal flood 
insurance program requirements to disadvantage businesses and 
homeowners in any way, meaning, to take their property away because 
they have misinterpreted the Federal laws as to whether or not your 
home is in a floodplain or in a floodway. Those of us from the gulf 
understand that very well.
  Unfortunately, under Federal law, it is often misinterpreted by State 
and local officials, resulting in unintended consequences in many 
communities across this country. For example, in the White Oak 
community, 2,400 homes were being violated because a local government 
was misinterpreting whether or not these particular individuals could 
stay in their homes. Their values plummeted.
  I am going to continue to work on this legislation going forward to 
ensure this language gets in the bill and that we fight to protect 
homeowners once and for all.

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