Advisory: Rep. Miller to Testify in Michigan House of Representatives Hearing

June 7, 2011 11:42 AM

Hearing held to examine the National Flood Insurance Program’s effects on Michigan

Harrison Township, MI – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) will testify in a Michigan House of Representatives hearing examining the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and how it affects Michigan residents who live within a floodplain on Thursday, June 9th at 10:30am at 519 of the House Office Building in Lansing, MI. The hearing is scheduled to take up state Representative Anthony Forlini, R-Harrison Township’s resolution to petition the U.S. Congress to abolish the NFIP (House Resolution No. 62.) The hearing is being held before the Committee on Insurance which is chaired by state Representative Pete Lund, R-Shelby Township.

When: 10:30am, June 9, 2011

Where: 519 of the House Office Building
124 N. Capitol
Lansing, MI

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Miller 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