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Updates from Washington

Introducing Legislation to Prevent Flood Insurance Price Hikes

Last week, FEMA announced implementation of its new National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premium rate structure, also known as Risk Rating 2.0.  There are major transparency issues regarding Risk Rating 2.0, and I am very concerned to see FEMA move forward with implementation given that is the case.  Some families in Southeastern North Carolina have seen their flood insurance rates increase from $500 a year to more than $4,000 a year for a single home. 

In response to this nationwide problem, a few of my colleagues and I introduced legislation that would rescind this increase until FEMA provides clarity and transparency of their process and data input under Risk Rating 2.0.  Combined with the 40-year high in inflation and sky-rocketing gas and energy costs, families are paying more for everything.  We don't need FEMA piling on another layer of uncertainty for policyholders.  Read more about the price increase and my legislation in the WECT article below. 

WECT News: FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 to cause most insurance premiums to rise 

Republican Roundtable on the Energy Crisis

You get less of what you disincentivize, and on the public policy front, tax increases and greater regulatory burdens are the primary culprits that lead to less of any product.  That is a fundamental truth that can’t be ignored.  

This week, I joined my Republican colleagues on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in a roundtable on the energy crisis.  We heard from energy stakeholders who highlighted the challenges they face because of the bad policies unilaterally implemented by the Biden Administration, including pipeline projects that can’t get started in the new regulatory environment this Administration has imposed. 

Since revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline on President Biden's first day in office, the Administration has been enacting a number of policies to undermine American energy independence.  These actions continue to drive up gas prices, home heating costs, and they increase the world's reliance on oil from Russia and the Middle East.

It’s a farce for the Administration to say there are 8,000 or more leases available on private property when the multiple permits needed to bring those projects online are highly unlikely to be issued.

NC-07 Updates

New State Partnership for Disaster Resiliency

The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) recently announced funding for the N.C. State Coastal Dynamics Design Lab (CDDL) for the development of five North Carolina community floodprint reports over the next three years.  A floodprint is a community-wide planning approach developed by CDDL to address issues such as flood mitigation and recovery.  They are especially helpful when determining local needs for disaster recovery and resilience. 

The N.C. State design lab will work with five communities in North Carolina to develop a floodprint and design proposals that can then be used to apply for grant funding. I was pleased to see the first of the five new floodprints will focus on Whiteville in Columbus County.

Residents of Southeastern North Carolina know well the devastating impacts that natural disasters can inflict on a community.  Once these floodprint reports are developed, legislation I recently introduced in the House could help facilitate more of these projects around Southeastern North Carolina.  This legislation, H.R. 7178, the Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience (CLEAR) Act, would support the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency to ensure we are being proactive against powerful storms and enable stronger recoveries for all of our disaster-affected citizens and communities.  You can read more about it here. 

This Week's Good News Story 

For this week's good news story, I would like to recognize the Whiteville Fire Department for their efforts to help crews battling the wildfire in Wears Valley, Tennessee.  According to the News Reporter, "a trailer full of donated supplies left Whiteville Fire Department Thursday morning bound for crews battling a wildfire nearly 400 miles away in eastern Tennessee."  Whiteville Fire Department Lt. Marquise Blanks and firefighter Rocky McPherson came up with the idea to provide assistance to those in need and they quickly received donations from volunteers throughout the community who were willing to help.

Closing Thoughts… 

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt