GOP ad blames Long Island's Democratic lawmakers for pausing national flood insurance

A new ad criticizes Democratic Reps. Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen of New York for a lapse in national flood insurance due to the government shutdown.

The ad, funded by the National Republican Congressional Committee, places blame on Mr. Suozzi and Ms. Gillen for voting against a Republican-backed measure that would fund the government, and in turn, the National Flood Insurance Program.

Long Island, which Mr. Suozzi and Ms. Gillen both represent, was hit by a powerful nor'easter, prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul to issue a state of emergency for eight counties across New York.

The halted program risks vital flood coverage for millions of property owners. 

Roughly 1,400 property sales per day are impacted because of the pause, according to the National Association of Realtors. Homeowners and renters are unable to buy, renew or add to policies, threatening home sales that require flood insurance, such as on Long Island.

This came in the middle of hurricane season, with winter weather on its heels.

The Washington Times has reached out to Mr. Suozzi and Ms. Gillen’s offices.

Democrats and Republicans are still at an impasse on how to fund the government — now the longest in U.S. history — as Democrats demand that enhanced health care subsidies be extended. Republicans have refused to negotiate until the government is reopened, prompting Senate Democrats to repeatedly filibuster spending bills that would reopen the government.

"Long Islanders deserve better than radical politicians Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, who prioritize taxpayer-funded handouts for illegal immigrants over the physical and financial security of their own constituents," NRCC spokesperson Maureen O’Toole said. "Suozzi and Gillen don’t represent Long Island; they represent the far left."

Republicans say the Democratic proposed funding measure would result in billions of dollars spent on healthcare for illegal immigrants over the next decade.

On the eve of the government shutdown, Mr. Suozzi urged bipartisan negotiations to reopen the government.

"If the Republicans refuse to negotiate and the shutdown continues, the impact on my Long Island and Queens constituents will be real and painful: federal workers missing paychecks, small businesses waiting on federal contracts, and seniors facing uncertainty with access to services they count on," he said.