Washington, DC, October 3, 2022 – The SmarterSafer Coalition today released the following statement on Congress’ failure to make substantial, long-overdue NFIP reforms:
“Since 2017, Congress has enacted 22 short-term reauthorizations to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), with the most recent iteration from the continuing resolution set to expire on December 16. With Hurricanes Fiona and Ian leaving death and devastation in their wakes, the SmarterSafer Coalition maintains that long-term reform is necessary to better protect the five million homes covered by the NFIP.
The NFIP currently provides $1.3 trillion in coverage to over 23,000 communities. Short-term extensions only serve as a stopgap solution and such frequent bandaid reauthorizations are disruptive to the insurance market. Updates to the NFIP and overarching flood management apparatus have the power to make a considerable impact on people and communities across the country. The time to make meaningful reform is long-overdue.”
SmarterSafer.org is a national coalition made up of a diverse chorus of voices united in favor of environmentally responsible, fiscally sound approaches to natural catastrophe policy that promote public safety. SmarterSafer members include taxpayer advocates, environmental groups, insurance interests, housing organizations, and mitigation advocates.
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