Reps. Carter, Ezell, Fletcher Introduce Short-Term National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Legislation to Avoid Program Lapse Due to Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Congressman Mike Ezell (R-MS), and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) have introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through November 21, 2025, matching the program authorization extension that was included in the September House Continuing Resolution bill. This legislation was filed ahead of NFIP's federal authorization expiration at 11:59 PM tonight, September 30, 2025.

"We cannot allow the dysfunction of government to punish everyday Americans by letting the National Flood Insurance Program lapse, leaving families and businesses without critical protection," said Rep. Carter. "This program is not only vital to Louisiana but to communities across the nation that face the growing risk of flooding. I have consistently stressed, since filing a long-term reauthorization earlier this year, that NFIP authorizations should not be tied to contentious government funding battles that put homeowners in jeopardy. Instead, we must provide this program with long-term certainty so that Congress can focus on modernizing the NFIP and ensuring it remains affordable and accessible for everyone."

Without action, a government shutdown would leave the NFIP in limbo, putting homeowners, small businesses, and entire communities at risk during the height of hurricane season and following the 20^th Anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"The NFIP isn't just a policy-it's a critical safeguard for millions of families, homeowners, and businesses across the country," said Rep. Ezell. "In Mississippi and other flood-prone areas, this program is often the only thing standing between families and financial devastation. Letting it lapse because of political brinkmanship in Washington would be reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous. A shutdown shouldn't be allowed to jeopardize disaster recovery, delay home sales, or leave flood victims waiting for the help they desperately need. We must act now to protect our communities and ensure the NFIP remains strong and uninterrupted."

"Once again this year, we have seen the devastating impacts of flooding in Texas," said Rep. Fletcher. "It is critical that Congress works to protect communities across the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, and reauthorizing the NFIP is an important part of that effort. If the NFIP lapses, Texans with flood insurance would be unable to renew their policies, leaving them vulnerable during hurricane season. I am glad to work with my colleagues to prevent a costly lapse in our constituents' access to flood insurance."

While this reauthorization ensures short-term stability, it must pave the way for a long-term, comprehensive NFIP reform to modernize the program and strengthen it for future generations. Representative Carter filed the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Authorization Extension Actin April to extend program authorization through December 31, 2026, and avoid the current situation where a government shutdown threatens NFIP authorization.

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.

Since the end of Fiscal Year 2017, 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.

###