U.S.senators return to work Monday after the Easter/Passover recess to take up legislation they couldn't pass before the break: a temporary extension of the federal flood insurance program and expanded unemployment benefits. The Senate adjourned two weeks ago without passing a one-month extension of the flood insurance program, which expired March 28, because Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., raised a...
U.S.senators return to work Monday after the Easter/Passover recess to take up legislation they couldn't pass before the break: a temporary extension of the federal flood insurance program and expanded unemployment benefits.
FEMA employee Shelia Forest, right, gives Carmen Windham information about the new flood maps at a FEMA open house in June, 2009. The Senate adjourned two weeks ago without passing a one-month extension of the flood insurance program, which expired March 28, because Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., raised a procedural objection that the measure would add to the federal deficit. Unable to resolve his objections, the Senate recessed.
Democrats said they will seek a cloture vote Monday night that would limit debate and end Coburn's threatened filibuster, and prompt an up-or-down vote. But they will need the vote of at least one of the 41 Republican senators.
The Senate's failure to act didn't affect those with flood insurance, but made it difficult for those selling and buying houses in flood zones. In some cases, buyers and sellers were given temporary exemptions from required flood insurance coverage if they had a flood insurance application on file that could be put into effect after Congress reauthorizes the program.
"Policies that are already in the process of being issued or renewed will be issued when Congress re-authorizes the National Flood Insurance Program," Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Brad Carroll said. His agency runs the federal flood insurance program.
Extension will be retroactive
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Congress will retroactively extend the flood insurance program so that there is no lapse in coverage for affected homeowners.
Rep. Charlie Melancon: 'Lawmakers in Washington need to put aside their partisan differences and work together to get the job done.' The partisan impasse has drawn sharp attacks from lawmakers from states like Louisiana that depend heavily on the federal flood insurance program.
Sen. David Vitter: 'Louisianians, Americans get this. Why can't Congress?'"Families and small businesses across Louisiana depend on the National Flood Insurance Program for flood protection, and lawmakers in Washington need to put aside their partisan differences and work together to get the job done on renewing the flood insurance program," said Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville.
Republicans said they are perfectly willing to extend both the flood insurance program and the unemployment benefits adopted as a safety net for Americans who can't find work.
"I'm for continuing vital programs like flood insurance and think we should use common sense and extend this necessary program without further increasing the federal debt," said Sen. David Vitter, R-La., who is running against Melancon this fall. "Louisianians, Americans get this. Why can't Congress?"
Accusations on both sides
Both Democrats and Republicans accuse the other party of playing politics.
Democrats said when Republicans controlled Congress and the presidency they routinely approved emergency spending without paying for all the costs. Republicans said that if Democrats were willing to negotiate, an agreement could be reached quickly on how to pay for the short-term extensions included in the bill.
National Association of Realtors President Vicki Cox Golder said recent heavy floods in Rhode Island show the importance of quick congressional action.
"In addition, given the many challenges financial and real estate markets are facing, now is not the time to create another, but avoidable, obstacle to real estate transactions," she said.
According to FEMA, more than 5 million people hold flood insurance policies in more than 20,000 communities across the country. Since 1978, the National Flood Insurance Program has paid out $31.4 billion for flood insurance claims and related costs.
Advocacy groups said 200,000 people a day are losing their unemployment benefits as a result of Congress' failure to enact an extension of the program that makes recipients eligible for jobless benefits well beyond the normal 26 weeks.
Bruce Alpert can be reached at balpert@timespicayune.com or 202.383.7861.