"Agents in Florida and Louisiana are calling because the FEMA borrowing authority needs to be extended before Congress leaves for the Thanksgiving Day recess," said Charles E. Symington Jr., senior vice president of government relations and federal affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.

"For the House, this could be as late as Saturday. This is an issue that needs to be addressed this week, and we will do as much as we can to make that happen."

Insurance agents said they are concerned that the money will run out for them to continue processing claims and making payments in flood-ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast.

Patricia A. Borowski, National Association of Professional Insurance Agents senior vice president, said, "PIA thanks the members of the House for recognizing the urgency of this situation by taking this action today on the borrowing authority and making clear in their comments that more will be needed to meet ongoing NFIP claims obligations to federal policyholders.

"Now, the Senate needs to follow suit before adjourning for the Thanksgiving holiday," Ms. Borowski added. The Senate has yet to pass companion legislation increasing the NFIP's borrowing authority.

"Any delay in the Senate will effectively place a hold on the ability of the NFIP to ensure that valid claims that have already been filed are paid," Ms. Borowski said.

The vote in the House Financial Services Committee occurred against the background of a notice sent by officials of the flood insurance program to insurance companies last Friday saying that requests for credit increases have been temporarily suspended.

Agency officials are advising insurers to "discontinue issuing claims payments to the extent that you would need additional Letter of Credit amounts," according to officials at the IIABA and the PIA.

The bill passed by the Financial Services panel does mandate some reforms in the program. For example, it calls on the Government Accountability Office to determine which property owners should be required to purchase coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.