Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program has been put on “hold,” literally, by senators from Mississippi and Louisiana. Mississippi’s Republican Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker have agreed with Sens. David Vitter, R-La., and Mary Landrieu, D-La., to use a Senate procedure known as “hold” on the legislation, blocking a Senate vote, to win assurances they could amend the bill to add wind coverage.

Last year the House approved a bill that would allow purchasers of federal flood insurance to add wind coverage to their policies. The House-approved bill also would increase coverage — now capped at $250,000 for homes and $500,000 for commercial buildings — and allow renters to purchase protection for furniture and other belongings.

Gulf Coast Senators Block Insurance Bill (The Clarion Ledger 3/19/08)

March 27, 2008