Steve Scalise and The Biggert-Waters Act.

Scalise in a opinion column in the Times Picayune of Feb. 23 shows just how big a hypocrite he really is concerning the above act.  FEMA's implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act's flood insurance rate hikes is front and center stage now because we are told those rate hikes would bankrupt home owners and do more harm to the real estate market and home building industry. 

The Act was passed in 2012 and was supposed to be a long term solution to the National Flood Insurance Program.  Scalise makes note that the flood insurance program has lapsed or nearly expired 18 separate times over the past five years, and led to the Biggert-Waters Act.  It should be noted that Scalise served in congress during that five year span he talks about that led to the Act.  And it should especially be noted that Scalise and all of Louisiana's delegation that serves in congress voted for the Act, a vote they have been silent about.  And now all of them are telling the people that Act will lead to sky high increases in flood insurance rates. 

In other words they voted for the Act with out knowing what the outcome would be concerning flood insurance rates and now they are crying "uncle." Was Scalise and Louisiana's delegation in congress just ignorant about the law they voted for?  Did they take it as a routine vote and ho hum, another day at the office?  It is obvious they did not pay attention to what they voted for since the subject of flood insurance should ring a bell for any one living in Louisiana. 

Scalise writes the political showmanship should be abandoned concerning the matter.  Thats laughable because he and Louisiana's delegation are the ones engaging in political showmanship.  They were caught napping when they voted for the Biggert-Walters Act and are in part responsible for the fall out.  So now they are telling the voters they are the ones working hard to correct the forecast of horrible increases to the flood insurance program. 

How many people remember that Scalise also voted to shut down the government a few months ago because he could not get his way and defund the Affordable Care Act.  The people of Louisiana deserve better.


This commentary written by John Lucia.