Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, issued the following statement in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision not to issue or renew flood insurance policies during the government shutdown:

“Last week, I worked with Democrats and Republicans to pass bipartisan legislation, which was signed into law, to keep the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) doors open because of its critical importance to communities and families. Despite this clear directive from Congress, FEMA has announced that it will not issue or renew NFIP policies during the government shutdown. I urge FEMA to immediately reconsider this harmful and incorrect interpretation of its authority and resume its important work of providing flood insurance to families across the country.”