[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM EXTENSION ACT

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                               speech of

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 30, 2012

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act.
  I support this bill because any extension is better than no 
extension. We really owe our constituents more than a 60 day extension 
and we must pass a long-term reauthorization the NFIP. Last year, the 
House completed their work on a reauthorization. I supported that bill 
and wish it was the one we could consider today.
  In our district, in Houston and East Harris County, Texas, the flood 
insurance program is critically important. Many of our constituents are 
required to carry flood insurance. The flood plain in our district 
covers thousands of houses and because of the topography of the land, 
the flood insurance program is the only way building and living here is 
practical. Without it, no policies could be written and no one would 
want to buy or live with such financial risk hanging over their heads.
  I also hope that when we revisit flood insurance that we include 
provisions that provide a five year phase-in of flood insurance 
premiums for low-income homeowners or renters whose primary residence 
is placed within a flood plain through an updating of flood insurance 
program maps. This language, which was in the bill we passed last July, 
homes can be valued at no more than 75% of the median home value for 
the state in which the property is located. The Harris County Flood 
Control District implements new flood control measures by maintaining 
bayous, building retention basins, and implementing drainage features, 
but even the best flood control can be overrun by a particularly bad 
storm. This language should be included in the final bill that is sent 
to the President.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues so that the next time we 
consider flood insurance we are reauthorizing and not extending it.

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