{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://richmond.house.gov/press-release/scalise-richmond-call-fema-work-state-local-officials-flood-insurance-changes", "Richmond, Scalise call on FEMA to work with state, local officials on flood insurance changes", "2013-04-25", "2013", "2013-04", "Democrat", "House", "LA", "Cedric Richmond", "R000588", "richmond.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressmen Steve Scalise and Cedric Richmond today fought back against FEMA\u2019s NFIP premium rate increase misinformation and demanded that FEMA work with state and local officials as it implements changes to the program and new Flood Insurance Rate Maps.\n\u201cAs FEMA develops and implements new flood rate maps, it is critical that they work with state and local officials to ensure that the impact on policy holders is given a high priority,\u201d Scalise said.\u00a0 \u201cIf these premium adjustments are not administered fairly, it could force thousands of Louisiana families to drop their flood insurance, or in some cases, even lose their homes because of the sheer cost of flood insurance.\u00a0 I strongly agree with local officials that FEMA should take into consideration non-federal flood protection systems when determining flood elevations and risk.\u00a0 It is important that Louisiana families have access to a fair and affordable flood insurance program.\u201d\n\u201cFEMA\u2019s recent miscommunication of details regarding their new Flood Insurance Rate Maps was terribly irresponsible and has resulted in devastating consequences for homeowners in my district, especially those residing on the West Bank of St. Charles Parish,\u201d Rep. Cedric Richmond said. \u201cNFIP policy holders have every right to be frustrated, concerned and wary of FEMA\u2019s competence regarding this program. It is vitally important that Louisianans have access to an insurance program at fair and affordable rates. \u00a0I urge Administrator Fugate to look closely at the consequences of FEMA\u2019s actions in this community.\u201d\nIn a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Scalise and Richmond specifically asked that FEMA:\n Take into consideration non-federal flood protection systems when determining flood risk.\n\tGive residents a realistic timeline for implementation of new maps and the premium that\u00a0\u00a0 residents can expect to pay over the next five (5) years.\n\tImmediately undertake a sustained public awareness campaign to reconcile misinformation distributed by FEMA thus far.\n The full text of the letter sent by Scalise and Richmond can be found here.", 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": ["http://richmond.house.gov/press-release/scalise-richmond-call-fema-work-state-local-officials-flood-insurance-changes"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3181166723370552, "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"}