Boswell Offers Amendment to Protect Iowans Impacted by Devastating Floods

Leonard Boswell

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell introduced an amendment to H.R. 1309 that would help victims of flooding in Iowa and across the nation by making key changes to flood insurance.

“Residents in nearly 700 counties across the United States have been victims of flooding this year, and Iowans have been hit especially hard,” said Boswell. “Farmers, homeowners, and small business owners are seeing their lives and livelihoods, quite literally, being washed away. We need to step up to the plate and help these flood victims rebuild their lives and repair the damage. Families and businesses impacted by flooding should not be subjected to premium increases as they struggle to get back on their feet.”

Boswell’s amendment would help victims of flooding in three important ways. It would reimburse a flood policyholder for the cost of rebuilding a flood-damaged structure as needed to comply with state and local floodplain management laws. Second, this amendment would give FEMA the discretion to provide grants to homeowners to repair flood damage. It also would also suspend any increases in flood insurance premiums for a period of 36 months for policyholders located in areas designated by the President as a major disaster or emergency.

“These changes are not a hand-out,” Boswell said. “My amendment provides immediate assistance and relief to those homeowners who have paid into the Flood Insurance Fund. The Flood Insurance Fund is paid through premiums and fees paid by policyholders, not the taxpayer.”