Rep. Cori B. Bush (D-Mo.) testifies at a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing. Photo by Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesOn Saturday, Rep. Cori Bush accused Democrats of going on vacation prior to passing legislation that would have extended the eviction moratorium.After the July 31 moratorium expires, approximately 7.4 million Americans will be at risk of being evicted in the next two-months.The House did not pass a bill to extend the moratorium. Members are now in recess until August.Check out more stories from Insider's business page.Rep. Cori Bush attacked Democrats by claiming that they took a recess in advance of the deadline for eviction moratorium, potentially putting millions of renters into disarray.Bush, a progressive Missouri representative, tweeted Saturday morning, "We could have extended the agreement yesterday, but some Democrats went to vacation instead.""We slept at Capitol last night to request them to return to their jobs. Today is their last chance. She tweeted out another picture of herself and other activists outside the Capitol Building.After failing to pass a bill that would have extended an eviction moratorium, Friday's recess began. It will last until August.In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the eviction moratorium that was first established in September 2020 to address the financial ruin caused by the coronavirus.The White House encouraged Congress beyond July to extend the moratorium and gave guidance on how to do it at the last moment. Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated in a statement that the Biden Administration would have "strongly supported” the CDC in a decision regarding the renewal of the moratorium. The White House statement stated that a Supreme Court decision had made it clear that congressional approval was required for the renewal of the moratorium.The bill was unanimously passed by Democrats, but the Republican House members opposed it.Top Democrats released a statement after the bill was defeated.Continue the storyAfter the vote was defeated, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader StenyHoyer and House Majority whip James Clyburn said, "It's extremely disappointing that House Republicans have refused to cooperate with us on this matter." We urge them to reconsider their opposition in helping millions of Americans, and instead join us to help landlords and renters affected by the pandemic.Bush said to Insider that she is willing to sleep outside the Capitol Building for a second night in order to convince House Democrats to meet again."This is not my first time occupying a government building." She said that it is not the first time she has had to sleep outside."I'm willing to stand out if necessary. Would I like to? It's not. It is not fun. It is not. Would you rather be in your bed? She agreed, adding that Nina Turner was originally her scheduled campaign stop.Bush said to Insider, "But this happened and it was clear that I couldn't leave without trying to save lives."The Missouri lawmaker claimed that she only slept one hour in the cold during Friday night's stayover. She had "just" a chair and a sleeping bag to use as a blanket. Bush was also joined by Ilhan Omar and Rep. AyannaPressley.About 7.4 million Americans could be evicted in the next two-months if the moratorium ends on July 31. Census Pulse Survey Data estimates that this would mean that approximately 16% of renters will be evicted.Alex Nicoll, Business Insider, reported that landlords are preparing to quickly evict tenants. Insider was told by a New York lawyer that landlords want to be available to serve eviction notices August 1. These evictions could increase the nation's homelessness crisis.Bush said to Insider that it sends a "very troubling message" when the House and Senate are all Democrat-run, but legislators can't get legislation such as this passed.She has not heard anything from her House colleagues regarding the possibility of legislators returning to the floor.Multiple members of Congress, including Maxine Waters, Maxine Waters and Jamaal Bowman (who introduced the bill to extend Friday's moratorium), told Bush that they would return if asked.Business Insider has the original article.
