Two Democratic senators are raising concerns about how the Trump administration is handling the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Senators Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts and Andy Kim from New Jersey sent a letter to David Richardson, FEMA’s Acting Administrator, pointing out staff cuts and shifting priorities that they say could put the program at risk. The NFIP supports about 4.7 million Americans by providing flood insurance, which many homeowners rely on since regular home insurance usually doesn’t cover flood damage.
The senators warned that recent changes at FEMA, which runs the NFIP, might lead to higher insurance costs and less coverage for homeowners. They also noted that private insurers depend on FEMA’s flood risk data, and if the program weakens, it could leave them without reliable information. Insurance prices have already been climbing, and some companies have stopped offering policies in high-risk areas.
Part of the problem comes from huge staff cuts at FEMA—over 2,000 employees have left since the start of Trump’s second term. The president has also suggested that states and local communities should take on more responsibility for disaster recovery, and has talked about eliminating FEMA altogether. Former and current FEMA workers recently warned Congress that the agency is now less prepared to handle major disasters.
Adding to the drama, the NFIP’s legal authorization is set to expire on September 30, the same day Congress must pass the federal budget. Without reauthorization, the program would stop issuing new policies and renewing existing ones, although current policyholders would still receive payouts. Such a freeze could complicate house sales across the country, according to the National Association of Realtors.
At the moment, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security haven’t commented on the letter or the future of the program. Meanwhile, many Americans are watching closely, knowing that the NFIP plays a crucial role in helping communities recover from floods and manage flood risks nationwide.