NEW: Soto & Moskowitz’s Shutdown is a Threat to Florida Homeowners
Out of touch Democrats Darren Soto and Jared Moskowitz’s government shutdown is a threat to the housing market and Florida homeowners, a new report finds
With the government shut down, the national flood insurance program has lapsed, meaning 1,400 real estate transactions daily are in jeopardy and homeowners can’t renew existing flood insurance policies; a dangerous situation in Florida, especially during hurricane season.
And don’t just take it from us, the National Association of Realtors warned that, “under normal conditions, lenders will require flood insurance before finalizing the loan if the property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and the standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover flooding.”
“Darren Soto and Jared Moskowitz care more about handing out taxpayer-funded freebies to illegal immigrants rather than ensuring that their own constituents are safe at home. It doesn’t get any more out of touch than that.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole
Read the full story here or see excerpts below:
Realtors warn about flood insurance lapses as GOP blasts Jared Moskowitz, Darren Soto over shutdown
Florida Politics
Jacob Ogles
October 16, 2025
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A government shutdown means the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can’t sell flood insurance. National Republicans say Democrats representing Florida in the U.S. House may be putting homes in danger.
“Jared Moskowitz and Darren Soto’s vote that shut down the government isn’t just a cowardly partisan move, it’s a flat-out dangerous situation,” said Maureen O’Toole, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. “Floridians deserve a representative who serves them, not threatens them.”
The attack came shortly after the National Association of Realtors (NAR) sounded alarms on how an ongoing federal shutdown could impact the flood insurance market. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has limited transactions amid the federal shutdown, which has now lasted more than two weeks.
That means some 1,400 real estate transactions per day are moving forward nationwide without flood insurance protection. Yet flooding, the Realtors group points out, is the most common natural disaster in the country, and a particular risk in Florida.
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Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat, noted that there are numerous costs that could fall disproportionately on Florida as the shutdown lingers, and said his focus is on how many of his constituents would see health insurance premiums rise.
“We want to continue to negotiate to get this government shutdown resolved,” he said. “We’re in a situation where we have the most Obamacare users of any state in the nation. I represent the second most of any district. And so we want to get this resolved, and we also want to make sure — whether it’s flood insurance or whether it’s telehealth or various other things that are affected by this right now — they are resolved as soon as possible.”
Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, said House Republicans were pointing fingers in the wrong direction to attack Democrats in the minority caucus instead of the administration that’s heading up agencies.
“Perhaps the NRCC should ask (Homeland Secretary) Kristi Noem why she hasn’t sent Florida taxpayers the $1 billion she owes us in FEMA reimbursement or any of the $600 million the state is owed for DHS’ involvement in Alligator Alcatraz,” he said. “I’m leading two bills to extend the National Flood Insurance Program and was requested by Republicans to do so — but I’m sure the NRCC knew that, and that’s what I love about them.”
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The White House last month issued a statement to Fox News warning a lapse in NFIP could have national consequences.
“The NFIP is a vital program utilized by millions of Americans, and it’s not a hard call to extend it — which is exactly why the administration supports the House-passed CR that would do so,” read the statement. “Unfortunately, Democrats are happy to shut down the government and hurt the many thousands of Americans who rely on this program in the process.’”
The NRCC notes that while Capitol Hill appears frozen in negotiations, hurricane season continues regardless. Meanwhile, millions of homeowners remain in limbo with FEMA unable to sell or renew flood insurance.
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