Congressman Carter Reforms the Bipartisan Congressional Flood Resilience Caucus; Sends Letter Urging Long-Term Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) announced that he will lead the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus for the 119th Congress. Joining him as co-chairs are Reps. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS).
The caucus will use proactive strategies and policy tools to protect residents, including the more than 40 million Americans who live in communities at high risk of severe flood damage. Extreme flooding ruins homes and property, uproots lives, and leaves a devastating impact. Pre-disaster strategies to educate and alert the public, as well as investments in both traditional and green flood control infrastructure, are critical to avert the post-disaster devastation so many communities face.
"My district knows firsthand the danger and destruction that flooding brings. As the climate changes, more and more communities will also be threatened by extreme flooding. We must take federal action to ensure that our nation is not only prepared to respond to flooding disasters, but to adapt our systems and infrastructure to be more resilient and better able to weather any storm. I’m proud to be a part of this caucus and to be a leader in this effort," said Rep. Carter.
In coordination with the launch of this Caucus, Congressmen Troy Carter (D-LA), Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Cleo Fields (D-LA) sent a letter to House Financial Services Committee leadership urging immediate action on long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as it will lapse on September 30. The Members emphasized that NFIP is a lifeline for homeowners, small businesses, and entire communities who are vulnerable to flooding.
“Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage, with flood insurance being the only remedy to cover the cost of rebuilding, underscoring the tremendous importance of NFIP. This program creates faster paths to recovery and provides peace of mind for homeowners across the nation, for a situation that could otherwise be life-ruining and involve financial devastation,” the Members wrote. “A lapse in the program’s authorization means new policies could not be issued, existing policies could not be renewed, and real estate transactions in flood-prone areas may stall, leaving homeowners and businesses vulnerable. This could ultimately result in housing market instability, jeopardizing the financial security of our constituents.”
Read the full letter here.
Rep. Carter is the sponsor of H.R. 2822, the National Flood Insurance Program Authorization Extension Act. This bill would extend the program through December 31, 2026.
“Once again this year, we have seen the devastating impacts of flooding in Texas,” said Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07). “It is critical that Congress works to protect communities across the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, and so I am glad to reestablish the Congressional Flood Resilience Caucus. I look forward to working with Representatives Weber, Carter, and Ezell and all of the caucus’ members to address the needs of our communities and develop policies to prepare for and respond to the threats that flooding poses across the country.”
"I'm proud to co-lead the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus to help make sure our coastal communities have the tools they need to prepare for and recover from flooding. In South Mississippi, we know how important strong infrastructure and smart planning are. Flooding is the most common—and costly—natural disaster in the U.S., and it can affect anyone, even those outside high-risk areas. That’s why flood insurance and strong federal support are so important. I look forward to working with our co-chairs and across the aisle to protect lives, property, and our economy from future flood risks,” said Rep. Ezell (MS-04).
“As a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast, I have seen numerous storms and other natural disasters wreak havoc on our communities. Over 120 million people live in coastal communities across the country, and ensuring our government can help uplift those impacted by natural disasters is a key goal of mine. As a co-leader of the Bipartisan Flood Resilience Caucus, I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen the resilience of our coastal communities,” said Rep. Weber (TX-14).
Background
This is not simply a coastal issue, as nearly all communities face some level of flood risk. Since 1996, flood events have occurred in all 50 states and 99% of U.S. counties, as it is the most common and costliest natural disaster.
The Flood Resilience Caucus plans to discuss a wide variety of topics, including;
- Reauthorization and modernization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP);
- Ensuring federal disaster funding is delivered to communities efficiently and effectively;
- Coastal habitat restoration and protection;
- Eliminating duplicative administrative burdens for disaster aid; and,
- Supporting the foundational mission of FEMA and a robust federal disaster response.
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.
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