Reps. Carter, Fields, Letlow, Ezell Introduce Flood Insurance Bill to Provide Stability to Property Owners and the Real Estate Market

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Congressman Cleo Fields (D-LA), Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R-LA), and Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS) have introduced the bipartisan National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Authorization Extension Act which will extend the federal authorization for the NFIP. The bill would extend the program through December 31, 2026, significantly longer than the typical short-term extensions passed by Congress.

"I am proud to introduce this bill to provide the long-overdue stability our communities deserve," said Rep. Carter. "For too long, homeowners, small businesses, and local economies have lived under the cloud of short-term NFIP extensions, often attached to contentious government funding bills. This clean, multi-year reauthorization brings much-needed certainty to policyholders and ensures uninterrupted access to flood insurance across the country. As flooding becomes more frequent and severe, we must protect families and businesses by keeping this program operating while we work to deliver lasting, comprehensive reforms to strengthen and modernize the program."

"Passing the NFIP Authorization Extension Act is essential to protecting hardworking people across Louisiana. Given our state's history with extreme weather events, we must ensure that flood insurance remains accessible to all. My colleagues in both the House and Senate will continue to fight for those most affected by flooding throughout the state and across the country," said Rep. Fields.

"Given the frequent storms and flooding our state endures, I'm a strong advocate for renewing the National Flood Insurance Program and making sure it serves those who depend on it. For many Louisianans, flood insurance is not just a policy-it's a lifeline. I'm committed to working with my colleagues to strengthen this vital program and ensure our communities get the support they need when disaster strikes," said Rep. Letlow.

"For far too long, families, businesses, and entire communities along our coast have lived with the uncertainty caused by short-term extensions of the National Flood Insurance Program. The NFIP Authorization Extension Act delivers the stability South Mississippians need and deserve as they continue to face the devastating effects of flooding and natural disasters. By extending the program through the end of 2026, we're sending a clear message: we are committed to protecting our coastal communities, giving them the tools to recover and rebuild, and working in a bipartisan way to strengthen and modernize the program for the future," said Rep. Ezell.

The Senate companion NFIP Authorization Extension Act was introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) in March 2025. Congressmembers Marc Veasey (D-TX), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) are original cosponsors of the House legislation.

"Rather than experiencing a 33rd short-term extension, NFIP policyholders deserve certainty, and NFIP as a program requires stability. A two-year reauthorization will provide a runway for Congress and stakeholders to hold conversations and hearings around catastrophic insurance and towards highly-demanded comprehensive NFIP reform, like a means-tested benefit for affordability, a third-party review of the Risk Rating 2.0 methodology, and proper incentivization of flood risk mitigation," said GNO, Inc. President Michael Hecht.

"Extending the National Flood Insurance Program would ensure continuous operations and greater stability for policyholders until a long-term reauthorization is enacted into law - a valuable source of certainty for counties and our residents," said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. "Counties thank Representatives Carter, Fields, Letlow, and Ezell for their leadership, and we look forward to working with our bipartisan congressional partners to secure passage of this legislation."

Background

The NFIP is a federal program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that provides flood insurance to homeowners and businesses, aiming to reduce the financial impact of flooding. The program is vital for Louisiana, a state with extensive low-lying areas and frequent exposure to hurricanes and heavy rainfall. The NFIP helps protect residents from devastating financial losses due to flood damage, encourages responsible development in flood-prone areas, and supports rebuilding efforts after disasters-making it a critical safety net for Louisiana's communities.

Over the last decade, Congress has passed 33 short-term NFIP authorization extensions, which have been attached to contentious government funding bills. Had Congress not been able to pass a government funding bill, not only would the government shut down, but the NFIP program's authorization would have also lapsed. A lapse in the program's authorization means new policies could not be issued, existing policies could not be renewed, and real estate transactions in flood-prone areas may stall, leaving homeowners and businesses vulnerable.

A lapse in authorization also delays claims payments, increases reliance on taxpayer-funded disaster aid, and creates market instability. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a lapse of NFIP could impact 1,360 home sale closings daily, translating to approximately 41,300 affected monthly transactions nationwide. By extending the program through December 31, 2026, this legislation ensures that Americans are not left in limbo and gives Congress the necessary time to work toward bipartisan solutions that strengthen and modernize the program.

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, affecting communities in every state. The NFIP is a lifeline for over five million policyholders, helping them recover and rebuild after disasters.

Full bill text can be found here.

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