Press Releases

Congressman Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement on House passage of a four-month extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. The program is set to expire on July 31st, which would leave the policies for over 100,000 Pinellas County residents in limbo during hurricane season. 

"This bill keeps flood insurance strong and clean through hurricane season for Pinellas families and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to also pass it without delay. Allowing the National Flood Insurance Program's authorization to lapse would devastate communities like Pinellas," said Crist. "Looking past this short-term extension, we have got to get serious about a thoughtful and comprehensive long-term reauthorization that addresses sustainability, accessibility, and affordability. It's long past time for Congress to get affordable flood insurance done for the people."

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has oversight of the NFIP, Crist has been fighting to keep policies affordable and stable, especially for middle- and lower-income homeowners in Florida’s coastal communities like Pinellas County, and for long-term reauthorization of the program to avert significant disruptions to the real estate market.