(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Sen David Vitter spoke with Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Illinois) asking her to urge the House of Representatives to move forward on the 60-day extension for the National Flood Insurance Program. The House had previously passed a 30-day day extension, but Biggert, the author of the flood insurance bill in the house, agreed to push the 60-day Senate version. The short term extensions of the program are to make sure the program doesn't lapse while Congress debates a five year reauthorization of the program.

"Rep. Biggert has been a strong leader to get the National Flood Insurance Program extended and I'm confident now that the House will take up our 60-day extension of the program," Vitter said. "The NFIP has been barely hobbling along with a Band-Aid approach - extending it for short periods of time. This 60-day extension will allow us to avoid a detrimental lapse and fully debate the five year bill. Moving the ball forward on this is a big, big step, especially as we approach hurricane season."

Earlier this week, Vitter was able to get a bipartisan agreement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to allow floor time on a five year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) during the next work period. The Senate passed, by unanimous consent, a short term 60-day extension of the NFIP yesterday.

Vitter recently wrote a bipartisan op-ed with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) about their efforts to bring this important bill for a debate and vote in the Senate.

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