Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, made the following statement regarding the expiration of the federal eviction moratorium:

“This weekend, the federal eviction moratorium put in place by Congress in the CARES Act expired. The expiration occurred due to the cruel indifference of Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans, who for months refused to do anything to provide desperately needed relief to families during this pandemic. According to Apartment List, 36 percent of renters could not fully pay their rent at the beginning of the month (a four percent increase from June), while 21 percent could not make any payment at all. Additionally, the U.S. Census published data on July 22 showing that 33 percent of renters have little to no confidence they will be able to pay August rent, up three percentage points from the week before.

“Earlier this month, the House passed my bill to provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance to help struggling renters who have fallen behind on rent payments and extend the eviction moratorium until March 27, 2021. This wasn’t the first time that the House stood up for renters under my leadership. In May, the House passed the Heroes Act, which also included these critical housing provisions. However, because of the refusal of Senate Republicans to take this crisis seriously, both bills are languishing in the Senate.

“In an effort to educate the Senate on the importance of my legislation, I held a hearing last week to stress the urgent need to provide housing relief and prevent evictions and homelessness.

“Today, Senate Republicans released a COVID-19 relief bill that ignores the impending eviction crisis. Families across America are at risk of being kicked out onto the streets and Republicans continue to show callous disregard for them. I will not rest until Congress extends and expands the eviction moratorium and provides the $100 billion in emergency rental assistance and housing relief that families so urgently need.”

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