Florida Insurance Crisis
Homeowners insurance premiums have surged to the highest in the nation. Families across the Treasure Coast are paying more to protect their homes than they spend on groceries.
The Problem
Florida homeowners insurance premiums have roughly tripled since 2017. The Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches sit at the wrong end of every actuarial table — coastal exposure, hurricane risk, and a private market that's collapsed into Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state-run insurer of last resort.
On top of that, enhanced ACA marketplace subsidies are set to expire — threatening $4,000+ annual increases for over 85,000 District 21 residents who depend on those plans.
And the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) faces another lapse deadline of September 30, 2026. Without reform, premiums spike or coverage disappears.
Brian Mast — 9-Year Track Record
Talking points without legislation isn't representation.
What he’s actually gotten signed into law as the primary sponsor — across five congresses (2017–2026):
- 4
- bills became law in 9 years
- as primary sponsor
- 2
- of those just named buildings
- post office + VA hospital
- 1
- substantive policy bill
- 2017 VA reauthorization
- 0
- water-quality bills became law
- as primary sponsor
Source: production LegiScan database (sponsor + status records, queried April 2026) cross-checked against GovTrack and Congress.gov.
The Incumbent's Record
What Brian Mast Has Done
Brian Mast has not sponsored a single standalone property-insurance, NFIP reform, or ACA premium bill in 9+ years in Congress. His sponsored portfolio (per GovTrack) is concentrated in Armed Forces, International Affairs, and Water Resources — insurance is not on the list.
Recorded Votes
- H.R. 1628American Health Care Act (ACA Repeal)Voted YES
Would have repealed the ACA and let insurers charge older Americans up to 5x more than younger.
Passed House 217–213; died in Senate · 2017-05-04 - H.R. 5376Inflation Reduction ActVoted NO
Extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies through 2025, capped Medicare Part D out-of-pocket at $2,000, allowed Medicare drug-price negotiation.
Passed 220–207; signed · 2022-08-12
What He Hasn't Done
- Not a lead cosponsor of any of the three standing NFIP Reauthorization and Reform Acts (HR 5802 117th, HR 4349 118th, HR 5484 119th) — despite representing one of the highest-NFIP-exposed districts in the country.
- No public statement found on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation's collapse or the 2022–2025 private-market exodus from Florida.
- Voted to repeal the ACA in 2017 and against extending ACA subsidies in 2022 — both would have raised marketplace premiums for FL-21 constituents.
Compiled from congress.gov, GovTrack, House Clerk roll-call records, and mast.house.gov. Verified April 2026.
The Cooke Plan
What Alex Would Do
Specific. Sourced. Independent.
- 1
Champion comprehensive NFIP reform
Lead the next NFIP Reauthorization and Reform Act with affordability glide-paths for primary residences, mitigation grants for older homes, and a federal catastrophe reinsurance backstop modeled on the post-Andrew California Earthquake Authority.
Source: Vehicle: H.R. 5484 (119th) — currently has no FL-21 lead sponsor
- 2
Make the ACA enhanced subsidies permanent
Cosponsor the next IRA-subsidy extension. Without it, FL-21 residents over 60 face premium hikes of $4,000+/year. Pair the extension with rate-review authority strengthening for the FL Department of Financial Services.
- 3
Federal catastrophe pool for high-risk states
Stand up a state-managed but federally backstopped wind/storm reinsurance pool — letting Florida private insurers price wind risk with confidence and exit Citizens. The Cooke proposal: a $20B initial federal share, drawn from existing FEMA disaster appropriations.
- 4
Mitigation tax credits for hardening homes
Restore and expand the federal disaster mitigation tax credit (last seen in earlier IRA drafts) for impact windows, roof straps, and elevation. $5,000 credit per home, capped at the per-home cost; saves the federal government on the back end through reduced NFIP claims.
Stand with Alex on this.
Independent. No party. No PACs. Real fixes for Florida District 21.