WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, New Orleans lost a giant, and I lost a friend.

Jerome “Big Duck” Smith was a freedom fighter, a mentor and a servant of this community who loved his people deeply.

Duck didn’t have much patience for excuses. If our children needed something, he was going to fight until somebody listened.

That was Big Duck.

It was never about Jerome. It was always about somebody else.

His civil rights work did not stop with the movement of the 1960s. He spent the rest of his life carrying that work forward through Tambourine and Fan, teaching generations of young people where they came from, what they were capable of, and why they mattered.

I am grateful that I had the chance to know him, work with him, laugh with him and, yes, sometimes be pushed by him. More than anything, I am grateful that I was able to tell him while he was still here what he meant to me and what he meant to this city.

New Orleans is better because Big Duck walked these streets.

To his family, his loved ones and the entire Tambourine and Fan family, my prayers are with you.

Rest well, my brother. Thank you for loving this city and its people enough to spend your life fighting for them.

Rest in power, Big Duck.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) led the Flood Resilience Caucus in sending a letter to Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Administrator Cameron Hamilton, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and members of the FEMA Review Council. The Members provided a response to FEMA Review Council Report Key Recommendation 7 – Reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for Financial Stability and Risk Resilience. The Flood Resilience Caucus is co-chaired by Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), and Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX).

“The federal government needs a federal flood insurance program that keeps coverage affordable, narrows the insurance gap, and rewards mitigation—yet Risk Rating 2.0 has undermined these goals. Since its October 2021 rollout, our offices have fielded steady complaints from policyholders about the new pricing methodology, which has increased affordability pressure and widened the coverage gap. The average NFIP policy now costs $1,808 annually, a 103.6% jump over legacy rates,” the Members wrote. “Clearly, NFIP reform is necessary. The FEMA Review Council’s Final Report provides a platform for this action; however, nuance is needed to achieve desired results in line with FEMA’s mission of ‘helping people before, during and after disasters.’”

On May 7, 2026, the FEMA Review Council released its final report of findings and recommendations, proposing a range of policy shifts. The report calls for gradually shifting NFIP toward the private market through continued implementation of Risk Rating 2.0, updated flood mapping, risk-based pricing, and a voluntary program to transfer policies to private insurers, with the ultimate goal of moving the bulk of flood coverage into the private market. This approach will weaken a program already struggling to retain policyholders by pulling the lowest-risk policies out to private insurers, leaving NFIP holding a smaller, more concentrated pool of higher-risk properties, driving up average losses, shrinking premium revenue, and deepening the program's debt to the Treasury. Policyholders already face rising premiums under a “risk-based” model whose actual math they cannot see. FEMA has never released the full underlying Risk Rating 2.0 formula or subjected it to independent, third-party verification, leaving homeowners and local officials unable to check whether their individual rating factors (flood distance, elevation, mitigation credits) are correct and fair.

The lawmakers provided the following feedback to the FEMA Review Council:

1. Empower Communities (Better Land-Use Policies)
2. Modernize Risk Assessment (Update Risk Rating 2.0 & Improve Maps)
3. Implement Risk-Based Pricing & Actual Costs
4. Revise ‘Write Your Own’ Compensation
5. Shift to Private Market through Depopulation of Existing NFIP Policies
6. Evaluate Development of Flood Insurance Marketplace
7. Address Repetitive Loss Properties

“CSFI appreciates the Flood Resilience Caucus for uplifting common-sense NFIP improvements, from a means-tested affordability program to a third-party review of Risk Rating 2.0.  Flood events have occurred in 99% of counties over the past 20 years, and the peril affects essentially all congressional districts, although only 4% of American households have flood coverage.  As NFIP participation continues to fall from a peak of 5.7M to under 4.5M now, CSFI encourages Congress to act on this program before more policyholders are priced out, while advancing sustainable solutions that reduce risk across perils.,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and founder of the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance (CSFI).

Additional lawmakers signing onto the effort include Reps. Cleo Fields (D-LA) and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ).

Background:

Members of the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus recognize the importance of acting now to adapt communities and build resilience in the face of rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Research shows that proactive investments in adaptive measures, such as elevating homes and retrofitting infrastructure, can save taxpayers an average of six dollars for every one dollar of federal spending.

Read the full letter here.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act, or STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act. This legislation would establish funding to help states finance homeowner mitigation projects to reach FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Home, and Wildfire Prepared Home certifications that lower home insurance premiums.

“Louisianians know better than anyone that storms are coming stronger and lasting longer,” said Rep. Carter. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan initiative that will make it easier for Americans to fortify their homes before the next storm comes. Making these smart investments now will protect homeowners when the next storm inevitably hits and lower their insurance premiums. It’s a win-win solution.”

The American home insurance industry is in crisis. Louisiana has some of the highest home insurance premiums in the country; the average Louisiana homeowner pays over $3,700 per year, roughly 55% more than the national average. Nationally, premiums rose roughly 24% to 47% between 2021 and 2024, while Louisiana premiums rose roughly 74% during that time. Home insurance premiums now take up about 9% of the typical mortgage payment, and up to 15-20% in high-risk states. Higher premiums are driven largely by worsening natural disasters, rising rebuilding costs, and insurers pulling out of risky markets altogether.

One proven way to lower rates and stabilize the industry is to harden homes to verified industry standards. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) sets science-based construction standards called “FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Home” to make buildings stronger against severe weather like hurricanes, hail, tornadoes, and wildfires. Homes certified to this standard are measurably more storm-resistant, and insurers in over a dozen states, including Louisiana, now reward those mitigation measures with real discounts — often 25-55% off the wind/hail portion of a premium, as roof damage drives up to 90% of catastrophe claims. For homeowners looking to lower their premiums rather than just absorb premium increases, IBHS-certified upgrades are among the few reliable levers.

With over 14,000 FORTIFIED designations across the state, Louisiana is quickly becoming a national example of resilience through fortified roof installations. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, run by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, has approved 5,459 $10,000 fortified roof grants. However, more funding is needed to expand access to fortified roof funding. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is heavily oversubscribed. In February 2026, only about 20% of those who registered in lotteries for the Fortify Homes Program received grants.

“Families along the Mississippi Gulf Coast know that preparing for the next storm is not optional, but the cost of making a home more resilient can put critical improvements out of reach,” said Rep. Ezell. “The STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act gives homeowners another tool to strengthen their homes before disaster strikes, while helping reduce damage and potentially lower insurance costs. This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense investment in stronger homes, safer communities, and greater financial security for families in disaster-prone areas like South Mississippi.”

“California is no stranger to wildfires and other natural disasters, which have driven home insurance premiums higher in recent years,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I'm proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill that gives homeowners the support they need to make their homes more resilient to extreme weather. These upgrades are a commonsense way to help reduce costs and better protect families and their homes."

“Louisiana has emerged as a leader in FORTIFIED roof adoption, and this adaptation has been essential in stabilizing of our state's insurance market. By investing in successful precedents and proven solutions, Congress will strengthen American homes and communities. We applaud this multi-peril approach towards risk mitigation across our nation, and we encourage continued intervention and innovation,” said Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc.

“Louisiana families cannot afford to keep paying more for less protection. Louisiana needs nearly 445,000 FORTIFIED roofs, at an estimated cost of approximately $6.161 billion, to make homes safer, stabilize communities, and begin bringing insurance costs back within reach. The STORM Fortified Act is the kind of bold, practical investment we need—providing up to $100 million each year to strengthen homes before the next storm, not after disaster has already taken everything. This is about more than shingles and nails; it is about protecting generational wealth, keeping seniors, workers, and families in their homes, and making sure Louisiana remains a place where our people can afford to live and recover with dignity,” said Andreanecia M. Morris, President of HousingLOUISIANA.

Background:

The STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act:

• Authorizes $100 million annually (FY 2027–2036) for FEMA to capitalize and recapitalize revolving loan funds for states. States must use funds solely for homeowner mitigation grants.
• Provides low-interest loans for homeowner mitigation projects, including fortified roof installations and other upgrades needed for FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Home, or Wildfire Prepared Home certifications. Loans are eligible to be forgivable for homeowners with incomes below 120% of the area median income (AMI).
• Allows states to provide mitigation grants to uninsured homeowners so they can enter the insurance market.
• Directs FEMA to promote insurer recognition of mitigation certifications for premium discounts.

The STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act is endorsed by Greater New Orleans, Inc., Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance, United Policyholders, American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Habitat for Humanity International, Environmental Defense Fund, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Orleans, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West, East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity, Lafayette Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA), HousingNOLA, HousingLOUISIANA, and Smart Home America.

Read the full bill text here.

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