Congressman Joe Garcia Hosts Tele-Town Hall to Discuss Flood Insurance Crisis

 
 

press release garciaWASHINGTON, DC — Last Tuesday, Congressman Joe Garcia hosted a Tele Town Hall to discuss national flood insurance reform. The hour long live event attracted over 3,900 callers from Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties concerned about their rising insurance rates and desperate for relief.

“Why doesn’t anyone care about what is happening to us?” asked one caller as she desperately questioned her steep and unsustainable rate increases.

“I care. I care deeply and I’m very concerned”, Congressman Garcia responded. “That is why I called tonight’s Tele Town Hall. We are facing a crisis here in South Florida, and across the country, and it is well beyond time we found a fix”.

Last month, Congressman Garcia introduced the HOME ACT of 2014 – bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the harmful effects of Biggert-Waters by delaying skyrocketing flood insurance rates, demanding FEMA conduct an affordability study, and creating a long-term solution by emphasizing the importance of mitigation.

While the Biggert-Waters Act of 2012 attempted to address FEMA’s $24 billion of collective debt, it inadvertently placed harsh and unconscionable financial burdens on home and small business owners – some so severe they were forced to move from their properties.

“Part of the concept of a national flood insurance program is that we’re all in this together” Garcia said when describing the unfair share South Floridian’s are being asked to pay.

According to a poll taken during the call, over 60% of callers were directly impacted by Biggert-Waters, seeing their rates increase drastically.

“What’s a person like myself supposed to do? It’s something I cannot afford and I’ll be forced to walk away from my home if something isn’t done to correct this” said Barry, a retired man living in the Florida Keys and frustrated by his premium increasing from $ 1,300 to over $ 6,000, a nearly 400% jump.

Last week, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said the House can expect to see a bill come to the floor for a vote soon. Congressman Garcia pledged to stay vigilant to ensure any bill introduced is comprehensive enough to bring real relief to every family and policyholder.