The current 30-day extension bill, introduced by Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill., also contains some reforms included in the House's five-year extension.

Matt Gannon, assistant vice president of federal affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies says this is part of the House's strategy to push for Senate action on a long-term extension. If short-term extensions are required, the House is only willing to do 30 days, and only if they include incremental reforms.

The Senate leadership, however, is not in favor of such a process, Gannon notes. He says the Senate may look for just a clean 30-day extension without the reforms.

Regarding the House bill, which passed today by a 402 to 18 vote, John Prible, vice president, Federal Government Affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, says, “We appreciate the House passage of a short-term extension of the NFIP. We know the Senate is simultaneously working on the long-term reform legislation and on a possible short-term extension in order to prevent an expiration of this critical program.

“We are encouraged by the increased focus and attention on the long-term reform and hope that the House and Senate will come to agreement on a short-term extension in order move the ball forward on the long-term effort.”

In a statement, Tom Santos, vice president for federal affairs at the American Insurance Association (AIA), says, “Avoiding yet another lapse of the NFIP is paramount to the continued protection of the program's 5.6 million policyholders in 21,000 communities across our nation. However, a long-term reauthorization that reforms the program is ultimately needed to ensure the NFIP's long-term viability.”

He notes that the long-term extension with reforms has broad bipartisan support.