{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://garretgraves.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/graves-takes-stand-louisiana-flood-victims", "Graves Takes a Stand for Louisiana Flood Victims", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "LA", "Garret Graves", "G000577", "garretgraves.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congressman Garret Graves (R \u2013 Baton Rouge) introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives today requiring the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide a predictable and timely response for flood insurance policyholders after they file a claim. \u00a0\u00a0The legislation establishes a deadline for approval of claims made under NFIP and mandates the program to make determinations within 30 days of the initial filing, followed by any payment owed under the claim.\n\u201cLast month people across south Louisiana were in water from their knees to their necks or higher.\u00a0 The following six weeks have added insult to the injury through confusion and uncertainty in the face of the unprecedented personal financial crisis and life strain,\u201d said Graves. \u201cThousands of home and business owners are in limbo because they cannot get appropriate information or payment from their federal flood insurance policies.\u00a0 As a result, many are facing foreclosure or bankruptcy.\u00a0 Our bill requires that the National Flood Insurance Program quickly get answers and funding to home and business owners.\u201d \nThe Timely Payments for Flood Victims Act of 2016 ensures that a home or business owner has certainty when it comes to filing a flood insurance claim under the National Flood Insurance Program. It requires that a determination of the claim must be made within 30 days of submission. Payments will be made as soon as possible should a claim be approved. It also provides for a 15 day extension past the 30 day deadline should extraordinary circumstances arise. This bill allows Congress to bring accountability to the NFIP in response to concerns voiced by those policyholders facing catastrophic loss from last month\u2019s flooding.\nGraves added: \u201cThe conflicting, inconsistent or lack of information regarding recovery assistance and agencies adds insult to the injury, prevents people from moving forward toward recovery and compounds frustrations. People are having to make decisions about whether and how to stay and rebuild or move; for many, it\u2019s a false choice and these delays and lack of information make it worse -- It\u2019s inexcusable. \u00a0Our bill forces the NFIP program to provide the customer service taxpayers deserve.\u201d\nCongressman Graves\u2019 bill is cosponsored by Congressmen Ralph Abraham, M.D. (R-Alto), Charles Boustany, M.D. (R-LA), and Cedric Richmond (D-LA). The full text of the bill can be found here.\n\"Flood insurance policy holders need timely and accurate information on their claims so that they can begin the recovery process. Disasters are painful events for our families, business owners and the communities in which they live, so the very last thing they need are delays in the process. I am proud to cosponsor this bill on behalf of Louisiana\u2019s flood victims, and I look forward to working alongside Congressman Graves to see that it becomes law,\u201d Dr. Abraham said.\nBoustany said: \u201cMany Louisianans are still waiting to hear whether or not their insurance claims have been approved from flooding that began over a month ago. That is unacceptable. These claims must be processed in a timely manner to ensure the rebuilding process will begin soon after disaster strikes. I am proud to support this important legislation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://garretgraves.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/graves-takes-stand-louisiana-flood-victims"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7204147987067699, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}