June 24, 2021

Statement from Reps. Pressley, Gomez and Bush on Extension of Federal Eviction Moratorium

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) issued the following statement today on the decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to extend the federal eviction moratorium through July 31. Earlier this week, the lawmakers led over 40 of their colleagues on a letter urging President Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to extend and strengthen the moratorium beyond June 30, 2021.

“An eviction is a disruptive life event and entirely preventable. With millions of vulnerable renters at risk of eviction, we must take every measure possible to keep our workers and families safely housed. Today’s decision to extend the federal eviction moratorium through July 31st is a welcome step that will provide an essential lifeline to the millions of people and families who were facing eviction in six days. We are grateful to the Biden administration for heeding our calls.”

“We know that it will take more than 30 days for families to recoup the financial losses of the ongoing pandemic and for the emergency rental assistance provided in the American Rescue Plan to be disseminated. We will continue to work with advocates, families, and the Biden administration to further extend and strengthen the moratorium to prevent widespread evictions of our most vulnerable families across the nation. This is a matter of public health, racial and economic justice, and we must act accordingly.”

From the onset of the pandemic, Congresswoman Pressley has fought tirelessly to provide robust housing protections for families in Massachusetts and across the nation.

On March 18, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling for a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
On March 19, 2020, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
On March 23, 2020, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
On April 10, 2020, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
On April 17, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
On May 11, 2020, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 24, 2020, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
On July 28, 2020, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 18, 2021, Reps. Bush and Pressley sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calling on the CDC to strengthen and extend the federal moratorium on evictions, ensuring families can remain safely in their homes for the duration of the COVID-19 global health emergency.
In June 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), re-introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

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