Catastrophe Experts Praise Introduction of National Backstop
Call Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2009 a critical first step in
protecting American families ProtectingAmerica.org today praised the introduction by Florida Rep. Ron Klein (D- FL-22) of the Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2009 and urged quick enactment of the bill. "This bill takes meaningful and important steps toward improving America’s system of dealing with natural catastrophes. The bill will improve mitigation and land use policies, strengthen first responder programs and provide a fiscally responsible way for our nation to prepare for the event of a truly massive natural catastrophe," said James Lee Witt, former FEMA Director and a co-chair of ProtectingAmerica.org. "The 2009 Hurricane season begins June 1 and it is my hope that immediate action will be taken before the peak storm activity in the fall," he said. The Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2009 builds upon legislation passed by the House of Representatives in 2007 and sets up financial mechanisms to provide a backstop for privately funded state catastrophe funds to assure that families are able to get insurance and can rebuild, repair and recover in the aftermath of a devastating natural catastrophe like a massive hurricane or vast earthquake. The previous bill, the Homeowner’s Defense Act of 2007 (HR 3355), passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 258-155. The bill was sponsored by Florida Reps. Ron Klein (D), Tim Mahoney (D), Ginny Brown-Waite (R) and nearly four dozen cosponsors from around the country. Read More | 
