U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is seeking an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with changes stemming from lessons learned in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy — including placing “stricter controls” on lawyers defending insurance companies against homeowners and “better oversight of insurance companies participating in the NFIP.”

Senator Schumer, addressing a crowd on Long Island, said, “My message to Congress today is a simple one: it takes just one storm without proper insurance and protection to devastate a coastal community. It is frightening that — just as hurricane season brews in the Atlantic — a crosswind of partisan politics in Congress is putting Long Island and the nation at risk of potentially letting the National Flood Insurance Program expire. Flood insurance should not be political, but right now there are those who would have no issue with letting the NFIP lapse. We are here today to say this simply cannot happen. We cannot and must not allow the National Flood Insurance Program to expire.”

'Cannot be allowed to lapse'

Senator Schumer added, “While the NFIP is certainly in need of improvements — from protecting homeowners from outrageous premium increases and storm victims from fraud and abuse — the program cannot be allowed to lapse, because then tens of thousands of New Yorkers and millions of Americans would be in jeopardy. Long Island depends upon the NFIP; it's critical that it's up and running if, God forbid, another hurricane were to head for us. That is why I am announcing an all-out push to extend this program ahead of the July 31st deadline and will work across the aisle to get it done.”

Senator Schumer explained that the extension was being overseen by the Senate Banking Committee led by Republican Michael Crapo and Democrat Sherrod Brown. Senator Schumer said that he will play a role in these negotiations and has pledged an all-out effort to try and extend the program amidst what is expected to be an active 2018 hurricane season beginning on June 1.