A bill to extend the authority for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to Sept. 30, 2010 has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Lenders have refused to close loans on properties that required flood insurance, since the insurance program expired May 31. The bill would make flood insurance coverage retroactive and would include all approved applications since that date. The bill heads to the U.S. Senate for their vote.