U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, R-Warren, is credited by colleague Leonard Lance, R-Hunterdon/Warren, with crafting the bill.
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Homes and docks damaged by Superstorm Sandy remain uninhabitable Thursday in the Broad Channel section of Queens, New York. Many home and business owners flooded out by Superstorm Sandy could get insurance payouts soon after the U.S. House extended the insurance program's borrowing limit.
The votes in the U.S. House and Senate came more than two months after the storm hit and days after Northeast Republicans erupted over House Speaker John Boehner's decision to delay an earlier vote.
Authored in the House by U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, a Republican whose district includes parts of Warren County, the bill gives more borrowing authority to the National Flood Insurance Program to pay about 115,000 pending claims.
Northeast lawmakers say the money is urgently needed for victims of one of the worst storms ever to strike the region. Boehner set today's vote after sparking controversy with a decision to delay House action on a broader Sandy aid package.
Garrett said it is necessary to increase the National Flood Insurance Program’s borrowing limit to ensure money is available to meet the demand from Sandy victims. He motioned at 10:06 a.m. for the bill to go to a vote.
"As someone who has been on the ground, viewed the devastation, and helped clean up some of the damage, I certainly believe that those who have bought flood insurance should expect to receive the coverage they paid for," Garrett said today in a statement. "Today, the House is taking steps to ensure that the federal government fulfills its contractual obligation to all those who have purchased national flood insurance. A temporary increase in NFIP’s borrowing limit is required."
U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, a Republican representing Hunterdon and parts of Warren counties, praised Garrett and Congress for passing the bill.
"Today's bipartisan action in the House is an important first step in providing emergency aid for homeowners and businesses affected by Superstorm Sandy," Lance said in a news release. "I applaud Congressman Scott Garrett for moving quickly and crafting legislation that will replenish the National Flood Insurance Program and avert a delay in payment on about 115,000 claims. I look forward to having Congress act on a broader aid package on Jan. 15 to continue to provide important assistance to New Jersey and New York’s flood victims."
New Lehigh Valley Congressman Matt Cartwright joined Lance, Garrett and U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, a Republican who represents Lehigh and parts of Northampton counties, in support of the bill. Cartwright is a Democrat who represents parts of Northampton County.
The White House praised today’s vote helping homeowners, renters and businesses, and urged Congress to act quickly on the remainder of President Barack Obama’s request.
A vote is expected Jan. 15 on about $51 billion in aid to rebuild from Sandy and to prevent damage from future storms.