The Senate passed a short-term extension of the flood insurance program just hours before it was supposed to expire on Tuesday.
The upper chamber voted 86-12 on a bill to extend the National Flood Insurance Program through November.
The bill now goes to the president’s desk. The House passed its version last week.
Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky forced the vote through by canceling a procedural vote on the House bill on Monday night.
Moving forward with that cloture vote, instead of taking a final vote, would have delayed passage of the extension until much later in the week, allowing the program to expire as flooding has hit many areas of country this summer.
The program was slated to expire at midnight.
Although bankers, realtors, and other interests praised the Senate action, some congressional conservatives want the program reformed.
The group SmarterSafer priased the Senate for ensuring “Americans are protected in the midst of hurricane season,” it wants Congress to use the next four months to “finally reform the program that has cost taxpayers almost $40 billion. The group pushes for government programs to be more fiscally responsible.
“Leaders in Congress should not continue to allow short-term extensions that reinforce the status quo, but should pass a comprehensive legislative package that addresses the NFIP’s financial insolvency and better protects the environment and people in harm’s way,” the group said in a statement.
