Advisory: Miller to Participate in Hearing Examining the National Flood Insurance Program

April 13, 2011 5:27 PM

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) will participate in a hearing examining the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and how it affects Michigan residents who live within the floodplain on Monday, April 18th at 6:00pm. The hearing is being held by Michigan State Representative Anthony Forlini and testimony will be provided by Congresswoman Miller, as well as local Realtors, the Insurance Industry, Homeowners, Home Builders and Mortgage Brokers. In addition, information from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will be available. The hearing is open to the public and scheduled for Monday, April 18th at 6:00pm at Mac and Rays Banquet and Conference Center, Harrison Township, MI.

When: 6:00pm, April 18, 2011

Where: Mac and Rays Banquet and Conference Center
30675 N River Road,
Harrison Township, MI

Miller has introduced legislation (H.R.435) to eliminate the NFIP, which currently has a deficit of over $19 billion and puts all taxpayers at great risk for even more debt in the future. Miller’s bill seeks to dismantle the NFIP by December 31, 2013, allowing states enough time to form regional insurance compacts to spread risk, and continues to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist their efforts by producing high quality flood maps, as well as assist states and the private sector to insure against flood loss.

Started in 1968, the NFIP has been consistently in debt, currently topping at $19 billion, and Congress has had to continually raise its purchasing debt limit. In addition, one out of every four property owners in the program receives subsidized rates and others in less flood prone areas are forced to pay significantly higher rates than they should based upon risk.

Note: From January through November 2010, Michigan residents paid over $20 million into the NFIP. Compare that to the $45 million total Michigan residents have received back from the NFIP since 1978. In less than one year, Michigan residents paid back almost half of the entire sum they have received from the past 33 years. (Source: Congressional Research Service) To see more information regarding a state-by-state comparison: http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/statistics/pcstat.shtm

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Contact for media inquiries:
Erin Sayago
erin.sayago@mail.house.gov