WASHINGTON -- Louisiana's two U.S. senators Monday urged President Barack Obama to delay promoting FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to secretary of the Department of Homeland Security until his agency helps address big increases in flood insurance premiums based on the agency's new flood maps. Fugate is rumored as a possible successor to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who is...
WASHINGTON -- Louisiana's two U.S. senators Monday urged President Barack Obama to delay promoting FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to secretary of the Department of Homeland Security until his agency helps address big increases in flood insurance premiums based on the agency's new flood maps.
Fugate is rumored as a possible successor to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who is moving to the top job at California's state university system. Another official mentioned as a possible successor to Napolitano is Thad Allen, the former Coast Guard commandant.
The letter was originated by Sen. David Vitter, R-La. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., signed on to it Monday morning (July 29).
The letter coincides with requests from Louisiana parish officials for Congress to avert substantial increases in premiums as FEMA implements a 2012 flood insurance reform bill designed to make the program more fiscally sound.
"We understand that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator W. Craig Fugate is under serious consideration to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security," the letter to the president from the Louisiana senators says. "In light of the extremely serious challenges facing him under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), we both feel strongly that these challenges must be addressed in a very serious manner before he is promoted to any other position. We are both determined to ensure this under the rules of the U.S. Senate."
That suggests that the two senators are prepared to put a hold on the nomination until FEMA addresses the flood insurance issues.
Some Louisiana officials are blaming faulty flood maps by FEMA for putting some policy holders in high-risk areas, even though their homes never flood. FEMA has said it is simply implementing the law, though agency officials have promised to work with local community leaders as implementation of the law continues.
Fugate, a former Florida emergency management agency appointed by Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, took over the top job at FEMA in May 2009. He was nominated by President Obama.
Fugate has generally gotten high marks for his management of the agency.
The House passed a measure, as part of a homeland security spending bill, barring FEMA from implementing parts of the 2012 flood insurance law that led to some of the higher premiums now projected by FEMA through the fiscal year that runs through Sept. 30, 2014. The measure was added to a Senate Homeland Security spending bill that passed the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The amendments lead sponsors were Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and Landrieu, who are running against each other in the 2014 Louisiana Senate race.
Every member of the Louisiana congressional delegation voted for the 2012 flood insurance legislation, though Landrieu warned that Congress would have to revisit the issue because it could leader to unaffordable increases in premiums. Landrieu said she had no choice but to vote for the measure because it was included in a bill that included the Restore Act, which funnels 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines from the 2010 BP oil spill to the five Gulf States - the top priority of Louisiana's congressional delegation.
Following release of the letter, Landrieu elaborated on the letter to President Obama in a statement that said Fugate has "a proven track record as an able and effective leader."
"FEMA needs to dedicate the resources necessary to complete the overdue affordability study, evaluate the concept of community based insurance policies, and update flood maps to ensure they accurately account for all unaccredited levees and flood control infrastructure," Landrieu said. "Associate Administrator (David) Miller's upcoming trip to Louisiana is an important opportunity to educate senior officials at FEMA and NFIP about the unique topography of coastal Louisiana and I appreciate his visit. But it is imperative that the agency has an empowered administrator who can work through these challenges."