Senator Inserts Flood Insurance Renewal in Farm Bill

As the U.S. Senate prepared to consider amendments to its version of a farm bill, Sen. John Kennedy (R., La.) on Wednesday inserted a proposal to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for six months.

The program extension, which was cosponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), now is in H.R.2, the Senate farm bill titled the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. A vote on the full bill is expected Thursday.

Unless action is taken, the NFIP program will lapse July 31.

“The National Flood Insurance Program is on the brink of expiring at the worst time possible. It’s the middle of hurricane season, and we haven’t even gotten to August when the worst hurricanes typically hit,” said Kennedy. “This six-month deal will give us time to work on a longer reauthorization and much-needed reforms. It will also ensure that Louisiana families don’t have to worry every time it rains.”

The farm bill also contains provisions governing crop insurance and food stamps.