National Flood Insurance Program

The Senate last night passed, by unanimous consent, legislation extending the current National Flood Insurance Program until Sept. 30, 2011.

Officials of three industry trade associations lauded the decision and urged the House to also act promptly.

Without House action, the program expires at the end of the current fiscal year, Sept. 30.

S. 3814, the “Flood Insurance Extension Act of 2010,” was sponsored by Sen. David Vitter, R-La.

“Now that the Senate has acted, it's incumbent upon the House to pass the extension before they break for the mid-term election,” said Blain Rethmeier, a spokesman for the American Insurance Association. “We have every expectation that will happen and look forward to the program being in place for one year.”