WASHINGTON — The Senate approved legislation that reworks the National Flood Insurance Plan by scaling back increases to premiums for many homeowners. In 2012, Congress enacted legislation to help restore the plan after the massive payouts from Hurricane Katrina, but many homeowners, particularly in coastal regions, found the sudden spikes in premiums untenable. Under the new legislation, insurance rates will go up by an average of 5 percent for different flood-risk categories each year, but the overall maximum increase is 15 percent. The bill passed, 72-22, with 51 Democrats and 21 Republicans voting for it, and 20 Republicans and two Democrats opposing it.

U.S. Senate vote

Jeff Merkley (D) Y

Ron Wyden (D) Y

On Friday, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would prevent the federal government from withholding permits from private businesses, such as ski resorts, that operate on federal land until they sign over their water rights to the government. The Water Rights Protection Act passed, 238-174, with a dozen Democrats joining 226 Republicans in supporting the measure. Democrats cast all of the votes against.

U.S. House vote

Greg Walden (R) Y

Earl Blumenauer (D) N

Suzanne Bonamici (D) N

Peter DeFazio (D) N

Kurt Schrader (D) Y

Also on Friday, the House voted to delay by five years the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, which requires people to sign up for health insurance or face a penalty. The bill also included a provision that would end the possibility of cuts to the rates by which doctors are reimbursed under Medicare, the so-called “doc fix.” The bill’s supporters maintained the $170 billion saved by delaying the individual mandate would more than cover the $138 billion to fund doctors through Medicare. The bill passed 238-181, with 226 Republicans and 12 Democrats voting yes. All of the no votes came from Democrats.

Greg Walden (R) Y

Earl Blumenauer (D) N

Suzanne Bonamici (D) N

Peter DeFazio (D) N

Kurt Schrader (D) N

— Andrew Clevenger, The Bulletin