The current extension was part of a NFIP was part of "minibus" spending bill passed by the Senate just after 7 p.m. that keeps the government running through Dec. 16.

President Obama is expected to sign the bill later today.

The Senate passed the bill, H.R. 2112, in a 70-30 vote. The "no" votes came from most conservative Republicans and a few moderate Republicans. All 57 Democrats and the two independents in the Senate voted in favor of the bill. 

Charles Symington, Jr., senior vice president, government affairs, for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, says, "The IIABA is grateful for yet another short-term extension of the NFIP."

However, Symington cautions, this short term extension is a clear example of the need for a long-term reauthorization of this vital program, "and we urge the Senate leadership to bring the long-term bill to the floor as soon as possible."

Tom Santos, vice president of federal affairs at the American Insurance Association, adds, "More certainty is needed, and as such AIA encourages Congress to pass a long-term extension with meaningful reforms that aim to strengthen the program."

Santos says necessary reforms include movement toward risk-based premiums and reduced price subsidies.  "The 5.6 million policyholders dependent upon the NFIP for their protection against floods deserve the peace of mind that a long-term extension of the program will provide," he says.

Jimi Grande, senior vice president, Federal and Political Affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, says, "Continuing to maintain this vital program through short-term extensions is unacceptable. As it stands, the program owes more than $18 billion to the taxpayers, and keeping the NFIP 'as is' only risks adding to that burden."

Mike Becker, Professional Insurance Agents of America vice president of Federal Affairs, says, "Another temporary extension of the National Flood Insurance Program is something to be relieved about but not cheered. The fact remains that both the House and the Senate Banking Committee have passed good, comprehensive reform bills with five-year reauthorizations. Now it's time for the full Senate to act to bring certainty to real estate markets and the more than five million flood insurance policyholders."

Tom Litjen, vice president of federal government relations for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America says, "While we continue to urge a long-term reauthorization for the NFIP, our first priority is avoiding a program lapse." 

The Senate bill, "The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act," passed the Banking Committee Sept. 8. Full Senate passage would set the stage for negotiations designed to merge the legislation with an extension already passed by the House.