White House Rebukes Pelosi’s Call For Extended Eviction Ban

The White House rebuked claims made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on reinstating the expired eviction ban. According to Pelosi, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can reinstate its moratorium on evictions.

This can help prevent a rash of evictions that can further complicate the COVID-19 pandemic.

RELATED: What Happens Next As Eviction Moratorium Freeze Expires?

Democrats Failed To Draft A Bill To Reinstate Eviction Ban

Many House progressives criticized the House for failing to come up with a bill to extend the eviction ban which expired last Saturday. In fact, some of the progressives camped out on the Capitol steps after Congress adjourned for its summer recess. Prior to the recess, Pelosi failed to gather enough votes to extend the eviction ban. 

Instead, the House Speaker called on the CDC to extend the ban. She had the idea that since the CDC first called for the original eviction ban, they can do it again. “The CDC has the power to extend the eviction moratorium.

As they double down on masks, why wouldn’t they extend the moratorium in light of (the) delta variant?” Pelosi tweeted Sunday.

Keep People Away From The Streets

In addition, Pelosi said that putting people back on the street can worsen the situation. “It is a moral imperative to keep people from being put out in the street which also contributes to the public health emergency.

The virus is still a threat, the moratorium must be extended and the funds' Congress allocated to assist renters and landlords must be spent,” she added.

However, the United States Supreme Court already made a judgment on the matter. They said that the eviction ban is unconstitutional, and landlords also need income. They gave Congress until July 31 to introduce solutions via legislation.

Pelosi said she only found out about the pending problem on Friday. As a result, she didn’t have enough time to pass an extension bill before House members went on a break. 

White House Rejects Pelosi’s Claims

An irked White House, through Press Secretary Jen Psaki, rebuked Pelosi’s claims. Psaki said that the CDC does not have the power to lawfully extend the eviction moratorium. She added that while the White House can help, it cannot unilaterally order an end to evictions. Psaki said that CDC officials “have been unable to find legal authority for a new, targeted eviction moratorium,” and there is unlikely to be an “emergency extension.” 

“Our team is redoubling efforts to identify all available legal authorities to provide necessary protections. “In the meantime, the President will continue to do everything in his power to help renters from eviction,” the Press Secretary said. 

Blame The Democrats

If ever the eviction ban lapsed without any action from the House, the fault lies at Pelosi’s doorstep. President Joe Biden doesn’t possess the authority to extend the CDC’s mandate, as the Supreme Court said the issue is a legislative one. The House Speaker simply overlooked the issue. By the time she realized it, there wasn’t enough time to get a bill approved. 

According to The Hill, “Biden asked lawmakers last week to extend the CDC’s ban, two days before it expired on July 31 and nearly a month after the Supreme Court warned that the agency would need congressional support to extend the moratorium again. Even so, House Democrats were unable to rise to Biden’s last-ditch request after roughly 20 moderates objected to a bill to extend the ban, breaking for recess Friday without even taking a vote.”

Even AOC Admits It’s The Dems’ Fault

Pelosi continued to defend their nonaction. She said that even if the House managed to get a bill out, the Senate wouldn’t manage to produce their version in time. “The House passing the eviction moratorium without the Senate acting does not extend the moratorium,” Pelosi wrote.

However, Pelosi’s reasoning didn’t resonate with progressives. “We have to really just call a spade a spade. We cannot in good faith blame the Republican Party when House Democrats have a majority,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Watch the ABC 15 Arizona coverage of the White House holds presser on evictions:

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Do you agree that Congress should extend the eviction moratorium? Or, is it already time for delinquent renters to start paying again or face the consequences?

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