DALLAS (AP) — The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee says victims of repeat flooding should consider Harvey’s devastation a sign from on high.
U.S. Rep. Jep Hensarling, a Republican from Dallas, said on CNBC during a segment on flood insurance Thursday that U.S. taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for at-risk homes that have flooded over and over again.
He said, “At some point, God is telling you to move.”
Hensarling says homeowners in flood-prone areas should make their properties more resilient or move out of the flood zone.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed a bill providing $15 billion for Hurricane Harvey disaster relief, which incorporated an extension of the federal flood insurance program.