{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-pushes-for-passage-of-bill-to-prevent-flood-insurance-hikes-on-thousands-of-pennsylvanians-before-years-end", "Casey Pushes for Passage of Bill to Prevent Flood Insurance Hikes on Thousands of Pennsylvanians Before Year’s End", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Bob Casey", "C001070", "www.casey.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC- With over 30,000 Pennsylvania policyholders potentially impacted, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), today, called for passage of legislation that will forestall flood insurance hikes. This bipartisan legislation has support in both houses of Congress and would protect Pennsylvanians, some of whom are beginning to feel the first impacts of these hikes. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Casey pushed for the Senate to quickly act on this legislation before steeper rate hikes take effect. Pennsylvania\u00a0would be the 7th most impacted state in the country without passing this legislation.\r\n\u201cI have called on the Senate to take up this legislation soon to give certainty to homeowners across Pennsylvania,\u201d Senator Casey said. \u201cThis is a commonsense, bipartisan proposal that could prevent drastic rate hikes for over 30,000 policyholders across the state.\u201d\r\nThe potential increase in flood insurance rates is coming as a result of the Biggert-Waters Reform Act of 2012. Because of the way the legislation calculates flood risks, up to 30,000 policies in Pennsylvania could eventually see increases. \u00a0\r\nThe Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act would:\r\n \r\nDelay rate increases for:\r\n \r\n \r\nAll homes and businesses that are currently \u201cgrandfathered.\u201d\u00a0 These are properties that were built to code and later remapped into a higher risk area.\u00a0 Prior to Biggert-Waters, these policyholders were not penalized for relying on inaccurate FEMA flood maps.\r\nAll properties that purchased a new policy after July 6, 2012, before they were legally required to purchase insurance.\r\nAll properties sold after July 6, 2012.\u00a0 New homeowners and business owners will continue to receive the same treatment as the previous owner unless they trigger another provision in Biggert-Waters such as Severe Repetitive Loss, non-primary residence, substantial damage, etc.\r\n \r\n \r\nSeek assurances of FEMA\u2019s ability to accurately determine flood risk.\r\nEstablish a Flood Insurance Advocate within FEMA.\r\nAllow FEMA to use the National Flood Insurance Fund to reimburse policyholders who successfully appeal a map determination\r\n \r\nThe full text of Senator Casey\u2019s letter can be seen below:\r\nThe Honorable Harry Reid\r\nMajority Leader, United States Senate\r\nS-221 Capitol Building\r\nWashington, DC 20510\r\nDear Majority Leader Reid:\r\nI am writing to encourage action on the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. This bipartisan legislation would prevent unaffordable flood insurance rate hikes affecting homeowners across the country, including thousands in my home state of Pennsylvania.\r\nTimely consideration by the Senate is essential. Under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, FEMA is implementing changes that will result in dramatic rate increases for a wide range of homeowners, from senior citizens who have been remapped into flood risk areas to prospective home sellers whose property values are being driven down by rate increases. The rate hikes, which in many cases are as high as 25 percent annually, impose a burden that many homeowners cannot afford.\r\nIt is essential that we strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program, but we should also make sure that homeowners get the protection they need at affordable rates. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act strikes the right balance by delaying certain rate increases until FEMA completes an affordability study already mandated by the Biggert-Waters reform bill. It also establishes an effective framework for maintaining affordability in the future by creating a Flood Insurance Advocate within FEMA and allowing policyholders to receive compensation from the National Flood Insurance Fund. This bill will ensure that we strengthen flood insurance in a way that is fair and sensible for the thousands of Americans who count on it.\r\nAs rate hikes continue to impact a growing number of homeowners, it is imperative that we provide relief and set a foundation for a sustainable, affordable flood insurance program.\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter.\r\nSincerely,\r\nRobert P. Casey, Jr.\r\nUnited States Senator\r\n###\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\r\n\t\t\t\t\tJohn Rizzo 202-228-6367", 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://www.casey.senate.gov/newsroom/releases/casey-pushes-for-passage-of-bill-to-prevent-flood-insurance-hikes-on-thousands-of-pennsylvanians-before-years-end"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.895350705832243, "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"}