Rep. Payne, Jr.’s Statement on the Failure to Extend the Rental Eviction Moratorium

Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. released the following statement today regarding the failure of Congress to extend the rental eviction moratorium. The moratorium expired on July 31, 2021 and the lack of an extension has put 15 million Americans at risk of losing their housing. An extension would give states more time to use the $46.5 billion in Congressional aid to help renters and landlords. New Jersey families are not affected because New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy extended the state's rental eviction deadline until January 1, 2022.

"I was extremely disappointed that we were unable to extend the eviction moratorium in Congress," said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. "I was working with Rep. Maxine Waters for weeks to get this bill on the House floor. These are Americans who have suffered incredible personal and financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not want to make them homeless on top of it. In addition, we need to get this pandemic aid to the landlords to prevent these evictions. If not, the evictions will lead to property foreclosures for the landlords. I am proud that New Jersey is going to keep the state's eviction moratorium until the end of the year. But Congress must make the eviction moratorium extension a higher priority and find a way to pass it soon. It is something that affects people in every state and Congressional District."

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