Senate clears six-month flood insurance extension

The Senate unanimously cleared a six-month extension of funding for national flood insurance before adjourning Wednesday night. 

S. 1958, which cleared by a voice vote, was penned by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and ensures stability for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through May 31, 2012 by inuring it from  the tumultuous political atmosphere expected for the remainder of the month. The bill now goes to the House for approval. 

"NFIP is too important for us to allow it to lapse again," said Vitter from the Senate floor prior to the vote. 

Vitter has argued repeatedly from the floor this month that the disruptions caused by strife in politics in the past have caused irreparable damage to the real estate market in his home state of Louisiana. 

Vitter also suggested he would push for a full five-year extension of the program early next year. 

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday and shortly after will hold a vote on the confirmation of 

At 10:30 the Senate will hold a controversial confirmation vote on Richard Cordray to be Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.