Reps. Cori Bush and AOC declare victory as Biden agrees to extend the eviction moratorium
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President Biden is set to issue a limited extension on the federal eviction moratorium — and progressive lawmakers couldn't be more pleased.
Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) celebrated the news on Tuesday, applauding the Biden administration's decision to extend a moratorium that expired Saturday, renewing it in places with high transmission of COVID-19, reports The Hill. But they also applauded their own role in the update. Both lawmakers were vocal advocates for the moratorium, pushing the administration to act even though some White House officials argued they didn't have authority to do so without Congress.
On Friday night, I came to the Capitol with my chair. I refused to accept that Congress could leave for vacation while 11 million people faced eviction.
For 5 days, we’ve been out here, demanding that our government acts to save lives.
Today, our movement moved mountains.— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) August 3, 2021
Bush also thanked other lawmakers who showed up to support her as she rallied for a moratorium, like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Schumer credited the progressive representatives for the victory.
“You did this!” - @SenSchumer pic.twitter.com/PlmIFiLGKY
— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) August 3, 2021
Ocasio-Cortez, Bush, and Reps. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) and Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) were part of a core group of progressives arguing the moratorium should not expire amid the pandemic. Ocasio-Cortez argued the Biden administration should push the issue all the way to the Supreme Court, saying it would be worth a legal showdown because it would buy Congress time to act. While discussing the limited extension, Biden foreshadowed exactly that kind of game plan, saying he doesn't know if a new moratorium will "pass constitutional muster," but expects it will buy more time for rent relief to get out while it's litigated, reports Marketplace.
But on Tuesday, the focus was largely on Bush, not the potentially forthcoming legal battle. Bush, for her part, says she's "grateful."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren says Rep. Cori Bush was “absolutely pivotal” in the WH’s eviction moratorium decision.
“She’s one woman who stood up and said ‘I’m not moving.’ She testified from personal experience… and that was enough to capture the attention of a lot of people.” pic.twitter.com/2xxcPgcNoS— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) August 3, 2021
One year ago this week, @CoriBush won her primary in MO-1. She’s been saving lives just like she said she would. https://t.co/fVZqrhu6np
— Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) August 3, 2021
Grateful. pic.twitter.com/IO0nCLDQ1i
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) August 3, 2021
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