MAYS LANDING — On the heels of a strong 67 to 32 bipartisan vote in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) Jan. 30 called upon House Speaker John Boehner (OH-08) to immediately put flood insurance legislation on the House calendar for a vote.
“More than a year after Sandy, there remains a host of issues hindering South Jersey residents as they rebuild their homes, their businesses and their lives. Where it is possible to ease any further negative impact, I’m willing and determined to do so. I applaud the Senate’s strong bipartisan stance in support of delaying planned increases to many flood insurance premiums. I applaud Senator Menendez for taking a lead on this critical issue and appreciate Senator Booker’s support of our efforts. I urge my colleagues in the House to follow their lead,” said LoBiondo.
The Senate-passed legislation authored by New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez is a modeled after bipartisan House legislation authored by Representatives Michael Grimm (NY-11), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Cedric Richmond (LA-02) and LoBiondo. Introduced in October 2013 and currently with 181 cosponsors, the bill calls for a four-year delay to the planned increases, requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete an affordability study and propose a framework that addresses affordability issues.
Since Hurricane Sandy’s landfall on the Jersey Shore, LoBiondo has worked to ease the impact of increasing flood insurance premiums mandated by the June 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform law. Over the past year LoBiondo has had repeated conversations with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Obama administration officials, and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (TX-05), whose committee has Congressional oversight over the flood insurance program. Supported by House Republican Leadership, LoBiondo has also served on a task force charged with finding a common-sense solution to the national problem.
“There is a finite window of opportunity to help millions of households from the crushing financial burden on the horizon. There is bipartisan agreement on the scope and depth of this problem. There is also a bipartisan solution readily available and approved by the Senate. It is imperative we take action and inexcusable if additional vote delays occur,” concluded LoBiondo.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
