President Joe Biden’s administration will impose new restrictions on housing evictions following days of protest from House Democrats calling for Biden to extend the national moratorium, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
The Post attributed the report to three anonymous people “aware of the matter,” and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) later announced the revamped restrictions.. Biden’s administration previously argued that it lacked the authority to extend the eviction moratorium, calling on Congress or state governments to impose their own restrictions on housing evictions. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made it clear on a Tuesday caucus call that she believed it was the Biden administration’s responsibility to act, however.
While the new restrictions would not amount to an outright extension of the eviction moratorium, it may be enough to satisfy House Democrats. (RELATED: Biden Admin Announces New Efforts To Expand Eviction Moratorium Amid Fight Between Congress, White House)
BIDEN called Pelosi this afternoon to inform her of decision to expand eviction moratorium in certain areas, per admin source
Biden call came after Pelosi made clear on caucus call with Yellen that admin, NOT House, should act to fix this
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) August 3, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new order Tuesday banning evictions in areas with “heightened levels of community transmission” of COVID-19 or the Delta variant through October 3.
While the Biden administration previously extended the moratorium for an additional month in June, the U.S. Supreme Court soon stepped in and said the CDC did not have the authority to extend it further. It is unclear whether the new, less expansive ban will pass constitutional muster.
The White House has yet to formally announce the restrictions, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki argued Tuesday that state governments should take up the mantle and enact eviction moratoriums themselves, given that the relevant funding is still available. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed the argument as well, saying he doesn’t believe action is necessary on the federal level.
McConnell on eviction moratorium:
“It looks like the money is still there” whether at federal or state level. He says he doesn’t think it requires legislation to get the $$ out
— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) August 3, 2021
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.