The House vote Friday on aid to Superstorm Sandy victims will only be for raising the cap on the National Flood Insurance Program's borrowing authority.

House Republicans are going to let the 112th Congress expire Wednesday without action on a Superstorm Sandy relief bill that includes a 50 percent increase in the National Flood Insurance Programs borrowing authority.

The House drew the nation back from the fiscal cliff Tuesday night when it approved legislation that, amongst other provisions, makes the current estate-tax policy permanent.

The Senate passed legislation late Dec. 28 that includes a provision to increase the borrowing authority of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Talks intensified Friday as congressional leaders and President Obama worked to avert a combination of tax hikes and budget cuts scheduled to go into effect Tuesday that economists fear could send the economy into recession.

Congress is being told that the NFIP has enough funds to pay Sandy claims until middle or late January as the Senate starts work on an aid package for Sandy victims that includes a 50 percent increase in the program's borrowing authority.

Utah has named Todd Kiser, a retiring state legislator, as that states new insurance commissioner.

Congress has passed legislation sought by the insurance industry and other stakeholders since late 2008 that streamlines enforcement of the Medicare Secondary Payment program.