Kennedy has been a vocal proponent of a longer-term NFIP reauthorization. Late final yr he launched a invoice looking for to authorize this system properly into 2025, however in December it didn’t be authorised through unanimous consent, stopping it from progressing to the Senate ground. This newest reauthorization invoice would prolong this system because it at the moment operates till Sep. 30, 2025.
However in keeping with reporting at Politico, Kennedy and his fellow Louisiana Senate Republican — Invoice Cassidy — are each engaged on completely different NFIP reauthorization payments which might be prone to sync up sooner or later sooner or later, in keeping with Kennedy.
“[We’ll] in all probability work collectively,” Kennedy informed Politico.
Cassidy’s invoice has not but been launched into the Senate. However Kennedy has made it clear that he not solely seeks a longer-term authorization sooner or later, but additionally reforms for this system.
In January, simply earlier than the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Kennedy informed The Hill that he and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) had been requested to provide you with modifications to NFIP which would come with different pure disasters by Senate Banking Committee Chair Sen. Tim Scott (R-N.C.).
“I simply had a chat with Tim Scott,” Kennedy informed The Hill on Jan.14. “He’s requested Mike Rounds and I to place collectively some laws dealing not simply with flood, however with all catastrophes.”
Whereas hesitant to supply particulars since work had simply begun, he did say that the goal could be to “enhance” NFIP by “in all probability increasing it” with out utilizing what he known as “taxpayer subsidies.” The potential program would “attempt to assist victims of fireplace and wind and hail catastrophes — and do it with out the federal authorities having to subsidize applications.”
Senators beforehand recognized a number of roadblocks that make the prospect of NFIP reform a really tall order, sophisticated by the slender majorities in each homes of Congress. Including to that strain and complicating the broader funding debate additional this time is the posture of congressional Democrats.
Locked out of majorities in each homes of Congress and with restricted recourse to restrict the agenda of the GOP, together with by the reducing of federal applications and a culling of the federal workforce, some Democrats are overtly speculating about permitting a authorities shutdown to happen in an effort to push again in opposition to the congressional Republicans and the White Home.
After unveiling the Republican funding proposal early on Saturday, Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is successfully daring Democrats to oppose it. Johnson is reportedly aiming to rearrange a vote for the brand new plan as early as Tuesday, March 11.