FLORIDA FAMILY FORCED FROM HOME, REP. GARCIA URGES HOUSE TO MOVE ON FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM

WASHINGTON, DC – February 10, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Joe Garcia joined House Democrats as they attempted to use a procedural move to bring a strongly bipartisan flood insurance reform bill, the Homeowner’s Flood Insurance Affordability Act, to a vote.

This issue is personal to Rep. Garcia because of stories like Robin, Derek and their young daughter’s- a family who has called Florida’s 26th district home for nine years. The family was forced to walk away from their house in the Keys and move to Pennsylvania after being told their rent would rise significantly to compensate for an increase in the property’s flood insurance premium. The couple was unable to find another affordable home in the area.

“Robin and Derek had to find new jobs in a new town, their young daughter had to be pulled from her childhood home, her friends and her school” Garcia said. “This is not right – and this legislation cannot wait. We must take up the flood insurance bill today before we see more families forced to walk away from their homes”.

Robin has since spoken out, saying “The pain and anger I experience every day, at the thought of being forced from my home, is gut-wrenching. I thank Congressman Garcia for listening to my story and taking leadership on this issue. This practice needs to be stopped before anyone else in the Keys, or across the country, experiences what my family has had to.”

But Speaker Boehner has remained opposed to addressing the flood insurance crisis, despite Governor Scott’s recent statement urging the Speaker to bring this commonsense, bipartisan legislation for a vote. Speaker Boehner recently stated publicly that the House is “not going to do that,” when asked about moving a bill aimed at addressing problems within the 2012 Biggert-Waters Act.

While the effort to bring flood insurance reform to the floor did not succeed, Rep. Garcia remains committed to the fact that this legislation, if brought before the House today, would find the necessary support from both parties to pass and be signed into law by the President.

Contact: Nicole Cueto (202) 480-7274