The Democratic-led Congress was blasted on Friday for going on vacation after failing to protect renters before a Saturday deadline.
"House Democrats on Friday failed to push through a last-minute extension of the federal eviction moratorium that expires Saturday, leaving town for a seven-week recess without holding a vote," NBC News reported. "About a dozen House Democrats opposed the measure and were unwilling to budge, two senior Democratic aides told NBC News."
The sponsor of the renter protection legislation, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reportedly disagreed about holding a public vote.
"Waters wanted a vote, which would have allowed progressive activists to blame specific Democratic lawmakers for its failure, while Pelosi didn't want to expose some of her caucus members to the wrath of the base, according to the second aide," NBC News reported. "Ultimately, the effort died when Majority Leader Steny Hoyer tried to pass the measure by unanimous consent — a process that doesn't require a vote — and a Republican member objected."
The House of Representatives is not scheduled to be in session until September 20th.
Here's some of what people were saying:
I'm sorry... What? They adjourned before extending the eviction moratorium???
Are you fricken kidding me??? Why are these people even getting paid?
— Kitty • 🍎🦉🥣♿ 🏳️⚧️ (@district12kitty) July 30, 2021
Damn. Almost as if they don't care.
— Dr. Bad Take, PhD (@thesoidaddie) July 30, 2021
If Democrats don\u2019t want to extend the eviction moratorium they should at least give back all the money they took in small dollar donations on the understanding that they\u2019d actually help people.— Jordan Zakarin (@Jordan Zakarin) 1627685895
Friend just asked if he can grab my couch Sunday because might get locked out when eviction moratorium ends. Shit is getting real— Max Lockie (@Max Lockie) 1627686531
Housing agencies prepare to help people when eviction moratorium endshttps://dlvr.it/S4lkhK— Shawn Cabbagestalk (@Shawn Cabbagestalk) 1627685945
Check on your friends who may be struggling. It's about to get rough for some.\n#EvictionMoratorium @CBS46https://twitter.com/krisvancleave/status/1421236141525770241\u00a0\u2026— shon gables cbs46 (@shon gables cbs46) 1627685977
Worry over possible 'tsunami of evictions' in Michigan as nationwide eviction moratorium endshttps://bit.ly/3j4QKsY— WXYZ Detroit (@WXYZ Detroit) 1627685318
We want names. We want primary challengers. And we want those responsible to know that we will not forget this betrayal. There will be voters who stay home next November BECAUSE of this--you know, those of us who still HAVE homes.
— Daily Planet for Democracy #LetTransKidsLIVE (@LoisLanesLaptop) July 30, 2021
GOP just blocked our efforts to extend the eviction moratorium! Local housing agencies have piles of applications for emergency rental assistance, relationships with landlords and just need more time. We are going to see some more pain from the pandemic. #EvictionMoratorium— Rick Larsen (@Rick Larsen) 1627684624
Call everyone back, call the vote, get everyone on the record and extend the moratorium. This is disgusting.https://twitter.com/repsarajacobs/status/1421211350857043968\u00a0\u2026— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman) 1627684986
This is a travesty.\n\nBiden is allowing the eviction moratorium to expire instead forcing its opponents to relitigate it.\n\nModerate Dems in the House won't stay in DC to vote to extend it.\n\nThe House adjourns.\n\nWorking families will have their belongings on the street next week.https://twitter.com/People4Bernie/status/1421233258969255937\u00a0\u2026— Rep. Omari Hardy (@Rep. Omari Hardy) 1627686821
Congress shouldn\u2019t go on recess while millions are risk of eviction.\n\nCongress shouldn\u2019t go on recess while voting rights are under assault.\n\nCongress shouldn\u2019t go on recess while Dreamers\u2019 futures are in jeopardy.\n\nCongress shouldn\u2019t go on recess while the Delta variant surges.— Sawyer Hackett (@Sawyer Hackett) 1627685795
BREAKING: I\u2019m a formerly unhoused Congresswoman, and I know that people will die if we let the eviction moratorium expire.\n\nI just sent a letter to every one of my Democratic colleagues telling them we can\u2019t leave until we pass this extension.pic.twitter.com/xNcFeT9GxJ— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@Congresswoman Cori Bush) 1627676257
COVID numbers are rising and millions face eviction across the country. This isn\u2019t a sudden crisis, this was a long time coming. \n\nI am extremely disappointed that we are leaving town without extending the #EvictionMoratorium.https://twitter.com/DemCloakroom/status/1421232279058255877\u00a0\u2026— Congressman Chuy Garc\u00eda (@Congressman Chuy Garc\u00eda) 1627684518
I spent all day waiting to vote to extend the eviction moratorium. \n\nWe are still in the midst of a global pandemic and economic crisis. To not do every last thing in our power to keep people housed is an unconscionable abdication of our duty to the American people.— Mondaire Jones (@Mondaire Jones) 1627686470
Please bring a vote on this tonight @SpeakerPelosi. Let\u2019s have a roll call. Force Dems to go on record if they oppose extending the ban. Don\u2019t let some kill this without any public accountability for their position. @CoriBush @AOC @USProgressiveshttps://twitter.com/rokhanna/status/1421234124887560201\u00a0\u2026— Ro Khanna (@Ro Khanna) 1627683875
The CDC said it would not extend the eviction moratorium \u2014 justified on public health grounds \u2014 but is also this month warning of dire/devastating consequences from delta variant of Covidhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/07/29/cdc-mask-guidance/\u00a0\u2026— Jeff Stein (@Jeff Stein) 1627686826
I see waiting until the very last minute didnt work.
Who knew?
— Special Agent Fox Mulder (@FoxMulder010) July 30, 2021
