House appropriators this week introduced a temporary measure that will continue to fund government operations, including the flood insurance program, through Nov. 18.
The continuing resolution (CR) also includes $3.6 billion of disaster relief for states and communities impacted by recent flooding.
Passage of the measure will prevent a government shutdown when the fiscal year ends September 30, and gives appropriators another six weeks to complete their work on the government's FY 2012 budget.
In 2010, a long running budget battle forced the Federal Emergency Management Agency to stop issuing new flood insurance policies twice -- during the spring and summer.
Mortgage bankers hope passage of the CR will prevent another lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Meanwhile, Congress is working on a reform bill that extends the flood insurance program for five years.
The House of Representatives passed a five-year NFIP reform bill in July by a 406-22 vote. The Senate Banking Committee has passed a similar flood bill and chairman Tim Johnson, D-S.D., wants the Senate to vote on the measure soon.
