Gottheimer-backed Bipartisan National Flood Insurance Program Bills Pass Committee, Head to House Floor for Vote

Flood-prone North Jersey communities will benefit from new bipartisan House bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Wednesday, June 12, 2019, two bipartisan bills backed by U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) for long-term investment in the National Flood Insurance Program passed through the House Financial Services Committee unanimously and will now head to the House floor for a vote. Gottheimer noted that these bills are not just vital to the country, but are incredibly important for the people of New Jersey.

More than 225,000 homeowners in New Jersey rely on the National Flood Insurance Program to protect their families. Towns in the Fifth District, like West Milford and Lodi, can be incredibly flood prone. Thankfully, our communities have clawed back tens of millions of dollars in lost assets through flood insurance program over the last three decades.

However, in the aftermath of the October 2012 Superstorm Sandy, which cost New Jersey approximately $30 billion, numerous policyholders claim they have been underpaid – in light of findings of fraud, altered engineering reports, and inadequacies in FEMA’s oversight and controls.

The new long-term investments passed today for the National Flood Insurance Program will help strengthen and improve the flood insurance system for many families in North Jersey.

“I’ve been able to see firsthand how essential this program is to the people of New Jersey’s Fifth District. They cannot continue to live in uncertainty when it comes to flood insurance. They need commonsense reforms, and we need to deliver them through a long-term reauthorization that provides responsible governance and doesn’t leave policyholders drowning in premiums,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I strongly support this bipartisan package to improve the National Flood Insurance Program for our hardworking families of North Jersey and around the country that passed out of the Financial Services Committee, and look forward to working with my colleagues to pass it on the House floor.”

Gottheimer also noted that he’s heard from many constituents about improper flood mapping by FEMA. Typically, the only recourse for these Fifth District constituents is costly and time consuming. This bill authorizes increased investment for national flood mapping and to improve the flood map revision process.

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