WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed legislation to amend and extend through March 2010 the federal flood insurance program.

“I was proud to cosponsor legislation that passed the House today to make common sense changes to the federal flood insurance program. This bill will give communities more flexibility in maintaining and repairing their levee systems.

“Levees along the Missouri River in Doniphan County protect the folks in Wathena, Ellwood and White Cloud as well as thousands of acres of farmland from disastrous floods. It is imperative the levees are structurally sound and that the folks in Doniphan County have the necessary resources to maintain their levees.”