Media

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Troy Carter (D-LA), Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell calling for FEMA to delay the rollout of the National Flood Insurance Program’s Risk Rating 2.0 calculation system. Their letter focuses on their deep concerns of how Risk Rating 2.0 will ratchet up premium costs for homeowners in their districts.

The members write in the letter:

“From Hurricanes Katrina and Ida to Superstorm Sandy, our constituents have a firsthand experience of the negative impacts of climate change and understand well the importance of flood prevention, preparedness, recovery and mitigation. Without comprehensive affordable coverage, homeowners in our communities risk losing everything and so families place deep reliance on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

“But under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new Risk Rating 2.0 system, we fear many of our constituents, especially in low and moderate income communities, will be priced out of their homes by drastic premium increases and others will choose to forgo coverage entirely. Consequently, we ask you to continue previous precedent and delay implementation of premium increases for existing policy holders under Risk Rating 2.0.”

The full text of the letter is here and below.

Deanna Criswell
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472

Dear Administrator Criswell,

We write to you as elected representatives of districts that have experienced major flooding in recent years. From Hurricanes Katrina and Ida to Superstorm Sandy, our constituents have a firsthand experience of the negative impacts of climate change and understand well the importance of flood prevention, preparedness, recovery and mitigation. Without comprehensive affordable coverage, homeowners in our communities risk losing everything and so families place deep reliance on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). But under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new Risk Rating 2.0 system, we fear many of our constituents, especially in low and moderate income communities, will be priced out of their homes by drastic premium increases and others will choose to forgo coverage entirely. Consequently, we ask you to continue previous precedent and delay implementation of premium increases for existing policy holders under Risk Rating 2.0.

It is clear that America needs comprehensive flood insurance reform. But any major program changes must be affordable for policy holders regardless of geographic location. Risk Rating 2.0 is estimated to increase rates for 77% of policy holders. These price hikes will place the program well outside the price range for our constituents still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its enduring economic fallout. In Louisiana, policy holders will see increases that total more than 129%, and approximately one-in-ten homeowners in the state will see premiums more than quadruple. In New Jersey, 79% of policy holders – nearly four out of every five – will see their premiums increase.

If Risk Rating 2.0 goes into effect on April 1, 2022, countless families in our communities struggling to make ends meet will have to decide whether retain their policies in their face of massive premium spikes. No family should be forced to choose between filling up their gas tank, putting food on their table, or meeting their mortgage payment because of a NFIP premium hike out of their control. We worry that many of our neighbors will simply decide to opt out of the program, which would only further financially burden the program.

While some officials may believe ample time has been given to existing homeowners to adjust to these proposed changes, our offices have heard from numerous policy holders who have expressed confusion and complaints about contradictory reports surrounding Risk Rating 2.0 and its expected impacts. For instance, even with these price hikes looming, policy holders and homebuilders still do not have adequate information about how specific mitigation measures could be implemented to reduce premium costs.

This issue is of momentous importance. With the worsening climate crisis, we know that devastating storms will continue occurring with increasing frequency. Without an affordable NFIP, our communities will be left with insufficient ways to protect themselves and recover. We support comprehensive and long-term reforms to the NFIP, but any changes must keep premiums down to rates that are actually affordable our communities. While we work on a legislative fix like cutting the current rate cap in half to ensure communities like ours are not left behind, a delay on the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 is essential and we call on you to halt planned implementation.

We want to thank you for your and the President’s involvement on the ground in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. We look forward to working together to ensure Risk Rating 2.0 will not price people out of essential flood insurance coverage.

Sincerely,

Troy A. Carter, Sr.

Bill Pascrell, Jr.,

Frank Pallone, Jr.

Members of Congress

 ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. (4/1/22) – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. announced that his office will host at least six in-person constituent service events throughout Louisiana’s Second Congressional District.

These curbside events in New Orleans East, St. Gabriel, Plaquemine, Baton Rouge and Harvey will provide opportunities for constituents dealing with issues with federal agencies or programs to drop in and receive in-person assistance.

The locations of these events were selected because they are in regions further away from the physical offices of Congressman Carter. Staff from the Congressman’s office as well as representatives from agencies like the Small Business Association (SBA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will also be present and available to answer questions or provide assistance.

These events are free and open to the public. Constituents are recommended to bring any necessary documents with them to the curbside casework event. 

New Orleans East Event (flyer/graphic here)

Saturday, April 2, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

New Orleans East Regional Library, Enterprise Zone Room

5641 Read Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70127

Jefferson Parish (Westbank) 

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Jane O’Brien Chatelain WB Regional Library

2751 Manhattan Blvd.

Harvey, LA 70058

Baton Rouge (Eastbank) 

Thursday, April 7, 2022, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Delmont Gardens Branch Library (Room #2)

3351 Lorraine Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70805

Iberville Parish (Westbank) 

Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Plaquemine Library

24605 J. Gerald Berrett Blvd.

Plaquemine, LA 70764

Iberville Parish Library 

Thursday, April 14, 2022, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Lewis-Redditt-Williams Bldg.

5717 Monticello Street

St. Gabriel, LA 70776

River Parishes Open House

Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Reserve Office: Media Room

181 Regala Park Road

Reserve, LA 70084

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Troy Carter (D-LA), Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell calling for FEMA to delay the rollout of the National Flood Insurance Program’s Risk Rating 2.0 calculation system. Their letter focuses on their deep concerns of how Risk Rating 2.0 will ratchet up premium costs for homeowners in their districts.

The members write in the letter:

“From Hurricanes Katrina and Ida to Superstorm Sandy, our constituents have a firsthand experience of the negative impacts of climate change and understand well the importance of flood prevention, preparedness, recovery and mitigation. Without comprehensive affordable coverage, homeowners in our communities risk losing everything and so families place deep reliance on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

“But under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new Risk Rating 2.0 system, we fear many of our constituents, especially in low and moderate income communities, will be priced out of their homes by drastic premium increases and others will choose to forgo coverage entirely. Consequently, we ask you to continue previous precedent and delay implementation of premium increases for existing policy holders under Risk Rating 2.0.”

The full text of the letter is here and below.

Deanna Criswell
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472

Dear Administrator Criswell,

We write to you as elected representatives of districts that have experienced major flooding in recent years. From Hurricanes Katrina and Ida to Superstorm Sandy, our constituents have a firsthand experience of the negative impacts of climate change and understand well the importance of flood prevention, preparedness, recovery and mitigation. Without comprehensive affordable coverage, homeowners in our communities risk losing everything and so families place deep reliance on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). But under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new Risk Rating 2.0 system, we fear many of our constituents, especially in low and moderate income communities, will be priced out of their homes by drastic premium increases and others will choose to forgo coverage entirely. Consequently, we ask you to continue previous precedent and delay implementation of premium increases for existing policy holders under Risk Rating 2.0.

It is clear that America needs comprehensive flood insurance reform. But any major program changes must be affordable for policy holders regardless of geographic location. Risk Rating 2.0 is estimated to increase rates for 77% of policy holders. These price hikes will place the program well outside the price range for our constituents still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its enduring economic fallout. In Louisiana, policy holders will see increases that total more than 129%, and approximately one-in-ten homeowners in the state will see premiums more than quadruple. In New Jersey, 79% of policy holders – nearly four out of every five – will see their premiums increase.

If Risk Rating 2.0 goes into effect on April 1, 2022, countless families in our communities struggling to make ends meet will have to decide whether retain their policies in their face of massive premium spikes. No family should be forced to choose between filling up their gas tank, putting food on their table, or meeting their mortgage payment because of a NFIP premium hike out of their control. We worry that many of our neighbors will simply decide to opt out of the program, which would only further financially burden the program.

While some officials may believe ample time has been given to existing homeowners to adjust to these proposed changes, our offices have heard from numerous policy holders who have expressed confusion and complaints about contradictory reports surrounding Risk Rating 2.0 and its expected impacts. For instance, even with these price hikes looming, policy holders and homebuilders still do not have adequate information about how specific mitigation measures could be implemented to reduce premium costs.

This issue is of momentous importance. With the worsening climate crisis, we know that devastating storms will continue occurring with increasing frequency. Without an affordable NFIP, our communities will be left with insufficient ways to protect themselves and recover. We support comprehensive and long-term reforms to the NFIP, but any changes must keep premiums down to rates that are actually affordable our communities. While we work on a legislative fix like cutting the current rate cap in half to ensure communities like ours are not left behind, a delay on the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 is essential and we call on you to halt planned implementation.

We want to thank you for your and the President’s involvement on the ground in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. We look forward to working together to ensure Risk Rating 2.0 will not price people out of essential flood insurance coverage.

Sincerely,

Troy A. Carter, Sr.

Bill Pascrell, Jr.,

Frank Pallone, Jr.

Members of Congress

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA) and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan Veterans Affairs (V.A.) Flood Preparedness Act. This bill will incorporate weather resiliency into Veterans Affairs facilities by allowing the V.A. to contribute funds to local authorities for the purpose of mitigating flood risk near their properties. Additionally, it will require the V.A. to maintain a sufficient level of disaster preparedness by mandating a report to assess the extent of flood risk at each facility, including flooding associated with rising sea levels.

“In southeast Louisiana we know the power and disruption that storms and floods can bring all too well,” said Congressman Carter. “After Hurricane Katrina, the V.A. Center in New Orleans flooded badly, shutting down operations at this critical site. This bill will help position V.A. centers across the country so that they can better partner with local authorities on flooding studies to better identify the shortcomings of the past and shore up facilities to serve veterans for generations to come.”

“For years, veterans have been significantly impeded from accessing the Ralph H. Johnson V.A. Medical Center in Charleston due to constant flooding on the adjacent street and in the parking lot. This is in a very vulnerable area for flooding and the city is limited in what they can do to mitigate the problems because the facility is federal,” said Congresswoman Mace. “This bill will increase collaboration between local authorities and the V.A. so the V.A. can participate in and contribute to flooding studies on roads adjacent to their facilities, paving the way for a future where the V.A. can substantially mitigate these problems.”

The full text of the bill is available here.

Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. launched his first Congressional Art Competition open to high school students who live in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District.

Initiated by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, the event is a nationwide annual art competition that allows high school students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic ability. The winning piece of art from each Congressional district is displayed in an eleven-month exhibit in the Cannon tunnel that leads into the U.S. Capitol and will be featured on The House of Representatives Congressional Art Competition page. This year’s competition is titled “An Artistic Discovery.”

“Southeast Louisiana is a hub for art, creativity and culture,” said Congressman Carter. “This competition gives young artists an opportunity to share their work with a bigger audience. Contests like these are the way we build our next generation of culture bearers. I am thrilled to see the beautiful, insightful creations that young people in the Second Congressional District submit to this competition, and I hope the students are able to achieve some ‘artistic discovery’ of their own.”

To enter a piece, LA-02 high school artists must print and fill out the “Student Information and Release Form,” and securely attach it to the back of the artwork. The release form requires signatures from the student, parent/guardian (if a minor), and an art teacher. Then, drop off the piece at one of two drop-off sites.

If artists cannot drop the piece off at a drop off site between 9am-6pm Monday through Friday, please call the office to coordinate a drop-off time: (504) 288-3777.

All entries must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 28 inches by 28 inches, may be up to 4 inches in depth, and not weigh more than 15 pounds. Paintings, drawings, photography, and several other two-dimensional mediums are accepted. More details and forms are available on the Congressman’s website: Troycarter.house.gov/services/art-competition. The winning artwork must be framed before being sent to the Capitol.