"House Passes Flood Insurance Bill, Senate Says No Thanks"

"WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill Thursday to make it easier for homeowners to obtain private flood insurance policies not provided directly through the National Flood Insurance Program. But moments later, the Senate declined to move the bill.

The House bill, which passed 264-155 with Republican and Democratic votes, aims to remove barriers that supporters of the legislation say make it harder for private insurance carriers to cover losses in flood-prone areas. It was introduced by Reps. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla.

“The recent major flood events across the country have provided a much-needed sense of urgency to our efforts to provide consumers with private sector flood insurance options,” Ross said in a press release. “Currently, many homeowners in Florida and across the country face unaffordable flood insurance premiums and a lack of coverage options, largely due to federal regulatory barriers that give the National Flood Insurance Program a harmful monopoly over the marketplace.”"

Brian Collins reports for National Mortgage News September 28, 2017.