House Nixes 12-Month NFIP Extension

The House has nixed a 12-month extension of the National Flood Insurance Program favored by the Senate and approved a short-term extension in hopes of getting Congress to consider flood insurance reforms next year.On Nov. 21, the House took up the Senate bill (S. 1768), stripped out the 12-month extension, and inserted a three-month extension. The House is currently in recess and is expected to return in early December to approve an omnibus appropriations bill. It is now up to the Senate to accept the three-month extension or counter with an alternative -- possibly a six-month extension. The flood insurance program is due to expire Dec. 31. In seeking a short-term extension, the House wants the Senate to consider an NFIP bill (H.R. 253) that is designed to reduce the cost of repetitive flood insurance claims.