Flood insurance splits GOP, spurs bipartisan dealmaking as deadline looms

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico

Dozens of Republicans have fought proposals by the House Financial Services Committee that they say would make flood insurance unaffordable.

By ZACHARY WARMBRODT 08/27/2017 06:56 AM EDT

LOUISIANA — Coastal state Republicans are bucking members of their own party and teaming up with Democrats as lawmakers struggle to salvage an agreement to keep the National Flood Insurance Program alive.

Dozens of Republicans from New York to Mississippi have fought proposals by the House Financial Services Committee that they say would make flood insurance unaffordable. A member of the House leadership, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, is among those uneasy with the panel’s plans. And in the Senate, Republicans are joining with Democrats to find a deal before the program lapses at the end of next month.

In contrast to the party-line approaches surrounding health care and tax reform, geographic boundaries are trumping partisan divisions in the flood insurance debate. “Floodwater has a way of making it pretty clear what the priorities are," Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) said.

At issue is the future of a government backstop that protects millions of Americans from the financial risks of flooding, but at a steep cost: The program has racked up almost $25 billion in debt. Its survival is a concern that is being grimly highlighted this weekend as the remnants of Hurricane Harvey inundate Texas.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/27/flood-insurance-deadline-looms-242068?lo=ap_a1

[NCjack]

1. GOP has all the wrong answers for Texas.

The Tex-Mex fence is a loser, and the loss of flood insurance is unbearable. Next will be the loss of crop insurance. GOP is moving Texas toward turning blue.

[shanny]

2. As I understand it

the big problem with flood insurance is that it permits people to rebuild in areas where--now--they shouldn't. Global warming with its pattern of more extreme weather more often (and rising sea levels) will make a number of areas untenable. That absolutely sucks for the people who live there, but no insurance program with built-in liabilities like that can last for long.

[BigmanPigman]

3. They had better start doing a lot more than this as climate change

continues these are going to be huge concerns as is infrastructure, etc. I am sooooo glad the GOP is on top of this. It's just like how they are NOT preventing continuing Russian interference in our elections.

[DK504]

6. Insurance companies were making some mewling noises about

working against climate change....they have been silent since that brief moment.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. "before the program lapses at the end of next month"

The hurricane seasons goes into its "peak" next month.

[kimbutgar]

5. Didn't twitler just change the Obama rules how homes can rebuilt but must comply with requirements

That the home could sustain a flood?

[Astraea]

7. just like Repukes

It doesn't matter until it's in my backyard. No help or handouts until it's something that affects them.