; (2) flooding disasters in the United States present a threat to people, property, and taxpayers; (3) the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a key component of the Federal Government’s efforts to minimize the damage and financial impact of floods; (4) the NFIP is the principal provider of flood insurance in the United States, covering over 5 million households and businesses across the country; (5) affordability of flood insurance coverage remains a serious concern; (6) investment in mitigation is a cost-effective means of reducing risk; (7) a policyholder’s ability to pay for flood insurance coverage should be considered for premium rate discounts