Ezell, Carter, Fletcher Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Reauthorize National Flood Insurance Program Through November 2025

Today, Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07) introduced critical bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through November 21, 2025, ahead of its scheduled expiration at the end of this month.

With Congress facing a potential government shutdown, especially amid Senate Democrats inaction, the lawmakers are urgently calling for swift passage of their legislation to prevent the devastating consequences of a lapse in NFIP coverage.

"The NFIP isn't just a policy-it's a critical safeguard for millions of families, homeowners, and businesses across the country," Ezell said. "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."

"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. 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," Carter said.

"Once again this year, we have seen the devastating impacts of flooding in Texas," Fletcher said. "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."

If the NFIP is allowed to expire:

• The program's borrowing authority will be capped at just $1 billion, risking delays in claim payments until sufficient premiums are collected.

• Over 4.7 million flood insurance policies across 22,718 communities in all 50 states will be jeopardized.

• New flood insurance policies cannot be issued or renewed, preventing homebuyers and businesses from closing, renewing, or increasing loans.

• The 2010 lapse in NFIP led to over 1,400 home sale closings canceled or delayed per day-a blow to the housing market and local economies.

Without action, a government shutdown would leave the NFIP in limbo, putting homeowners, small businesses, and entire communities at risk-particularly during the height of hurricane season.

Ezell, Carter, and Fletcher emphasized that 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.

###