PIA Applauds Senate Passage of Extension of National Flood Insurance Program to November 21

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents issued the following news release:

The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA National) is pleased that today the Senate joined the House in including an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in a federal funding continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the NFIP and other federal programs until November 21. The NFIP would have expired after September 30 without Congressional action. The CR was passed 82-15.

"It is fortunate that we avoided a lapse in the flood insurance program; however, this is now the 13th extension of the program since 2017, when its most recent long-term authorization expired," said Jon Gentile, Vice President of Government Relations at PIA National. "Short-term extensions are not a solution, and they create uncertainty for consumers, the insurance industry, and real estate markets."

"Thankfully, a way forward for a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP already exists in the bipartisan legislation that passed unanimously out of the House Financial Services Committee in June." The National Flood Insurance Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3167), sponsored by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), and the National Flood Insurance Program Administrative Reform Act (H.R. 3111), sponsored by Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), passed out of the House Financial Services Committee on June 12, and these bills include important reforms to the program, along with a long-term, five-year reauthorization.

"PIA National calls on the House to pass this legislation cleanly as soon as possible, and we ask the Senate to then do the same. Congress should not miss this bipartisan opportunity to reform the NFIP and reauthorize it on a long-term basis," Gentile said.

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Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America SM.PIA's web address is www.pianet.com.