U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) today applauded passage in the House of Representatives of a bill to extend the National Flood Insurance Program, and urged the Senate to take and pass the bill quickly.

“Thousands of Floridians count on the National Flood Insurance Program to insure their homes or purchase the coverage they need to close on new homes,” Rooney said. “I am pleased that the House has finally acted on this legislation. With our housing market struggling to recover, I strongly urge the Senate to remove this barrier by taking up and passing this bill before they adjourn for the week.

“I joined Floridians in their frustration as House Democratic leaders held this critical extension hostage to a larger, controversial bill for several weeks. I am glad they finally listened to our calls and allowed a vote on a stand-alone flood insurance bill.”

Federal law requires homes and buildings in high-risk flood areas to have flood policies in order to receive approval for federally regulated or insured mortgages. Without an extension, NFIP, which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, cannot issue or renew policies.

Around 90 percent of all flood insurance policies originate with NFIP, with Floridians holding nearly 40 percent of all policies. Therefore, Florida suffers disproportionately when the program lapses and cannot issue new policies.

“I am working with fellow members of Florida’s Congressional delegation, on a bipartisan basis, to complete a long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program,” Rooney said. “A long-term reauthorization will bring much-needed stability to the housing market, put more Floridians on the path to home ownership, and help ensure that when a flood strikes, families have the coverage they need.”