Introduction of the Rental Eviction Moratorium Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Rental Eviction Moratorium Act along with my colleague, Barbara Lee.

No one should lose their home because of this public health crisis. That's why I'm introducing this bill, which will prohibit the eviction of rental tenants for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This bill prohibits landlords from initiating eviction proceedings due to a tenants' failure to pay rent or other causes, and sunsets 6 months after FEMA terminates the emergency declared by the President.

More than a third of U.S. residents rent their homes, and that proportion is even higher in communities I represent in Chicago. As business closures, reduced hours and layoffs increase throughout the country, working class people, immigrants and people of color are hardest hit and many will miss rent payments. But when our public health officials are telling us all to stay home, this common-sense bill will ensure that more people can do so even as we enter into what may be a deep recession.

I urge this body to advance this legislation.

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