Congressional Record, Senate, August 10, 2021 — CDC Eviction Moratorium Order
Summary
Page S6262 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for August 10, 2021, in interleaved columns, including a CDC Order on the eviction moratorium. The Order is effective August 3, 2021 through October 3, 2021, applies in communities with substantial or high transmission of COVID-19, and cites section 361 of the Public Health Service Act and 42 CFR 70.2. Elsewhere on the page a resolution, S. Res. 353, is agreed to, S. Res. 354 celebrates 100 years of military aviation in Indiana, and a speaker criticizes a new spending package as massive new entitlements and tax increases. A further speaker urges House passage of the RENACER Act and describes the detention of Sacasa at El Chipote under Daniel Ortega.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, August 10, 2021 — CDC Eviction Moratorium Order.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-08-10-crec-2021-08-10-pt1-pgs6262-3-b61d0e5773/
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S6262 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 10, 2021
The resolution (S. Res. 353) was along on an infrastructure package. communities with substantial or high trans-
agreed to. That plan fell apart when a bipartisan mission of COVID–19 to prevent the further
The preamble was agreed to. group was able to agree on a separate spread of COVID–19.
DATES: This Order is effective August 3,
(The resolution, with its preamble, is bill with just real infrastructure. 2021 through October 3, 2021.
printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- This new spending spree, far from FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CON-
mitted Resolutions.’’) being an infrastructure bill like the bi- TACT: Tiffany Brown, Deputy Chief of Staff,
f partisan bill, has nothing to do with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
building roads or bridges. Instead, it 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H21–10, Atlanta,
CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNI- GA 30329. Phone: 404–639–7000. Email:
would create massive new entitlements
VERSARY OF MILITARY AVIA- cdcregulations@cdc.gov.
and impose massive new tax increases.
TION IN INDIANA SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This mishmash of massive new spend-
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I ask Background
ing and job-killing tax hikes would act
unanimous consent that the Senate as a double whammy on middle-income On September 4, 2020, the CDC Director
proceed to consideration of S. Res. 354, issued an Order temporarily halting evic-
Americans, small business owners, and tions in the United States for the reasons de-
submitted earlier today. farmers. scribed therein. That Order was set to expire
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Trillions of dollars in new spending is on December 31, 2020, subject to further ex-
objection, it is so ordered. likely to set inflation ablaze. Inflation tension, modification, or rescission. Section
The clerk will report the resolution is a stealth tax that steals the value of 502 of Title V, Division N of the Consolidated
by title. the dollars Americans already earned. Appropriations Act, 2021 extended the Order
The senior assistant legislative clerk Hard-working Americans are already until January 31, 2021, and approved the
read as follows: paying the price of excessive spending Order as an exercise of the CDC’s authority
under Section 361 of the Public Health Serv-
A resolution (S. Res. 354) celebrating the in the form of inflation with prices ris- ice Act (42 U.S.C. 264). With the extension of
100th Anniversary of military aviation in In- ing throughout the economy. the Order, Congress also provided $25 billion
diana. As a result, while wages increased at for emergency rental assistance for the pay-
There being no objection, the Senate a pace of 3.6 percent last month, Amer- ment of rent and rental arrears. Congress
proceeded to consider the resolution. icans found themselves struggling to later provided an additional $21.55 billion in
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I ask keep their heads above water with emergency rental assistance when it passed
unanimous consent that the resolution prices soaring 5.4 percent. the American Rescue Plan. The Order was
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed Now, Democrats want to add tax extended multiple times due to the changing
public health landscape and expired on July
to, and that the motions to reconsider hikes on top of this, which will slow 31, 2021 after what was intended to be the
be considered made and laid upon the economic growth, reduce business in- final extension. Absent an unexpected
table with no intervening action or de- vestment, and result in lower wages change in the trajectory of the pandemic,
bate. and fewer jobs over the long-run. CDC did not plan to extend the Order fur-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without What is more, the tax hikes that are ther.
objection, it is so ordered. being discussed take direct aim at fam- Following the recent surge in cases
The resolution (S. Res. 354) was ily run business and farms. brought forth by the highly transmissible
agreed to. Delta variant, the CDC Director now issues a
This includes raising their income
new Order temporarily halting evictions for
The preamble was agreed to. taxes, their capital gains taxes, and persons in counties or U.S. territories experi-
(The resolution, with its preamble, is imposing a confiscatory new death tax encing substantial or high rates of trans-
printed in today’s RECORD under ‘‘Sub- when operations are passed to the next mission, for the reasons described herein. It
mitted Resolutions.’’) generation. is more limited in scope than prior orders,
f Higher taxes, excessive spending, and intended to target specific areas of the coun-
escalating debt are not a prescription try where cases are rapidly increasing, which
MORNING BUSINESS likely would be exacerbated by mass evic-
for prosperity. They are instead are a
tions.
--- recipe for fiscal disaster. Accordingly, subject to the limitations
BUDGET RECONCILIATION I urge my Democrat colleagues to tap listed in the new Order, a landlord, owner of
the brakes before it is too late. a residential property, or person with a legal
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, yes-
Please think about the future and right to pursue eviction or possessory action,
terday, the Democrats unveiled their
abandon your reckless tax and spend shall not evict any covered person from any
reckless tax and spend budget plan. residential property in any county or U.S.
agenda.
With our country experiencing the territory while the county or territory is ex-
highest inflation it has seen in decades f
periencing substantial or high levels of com-
and our national debt approaching an EVICTION MORATORIUM munity transmission levels of SARS–CoV–2.
alltime high, common sense would dic- This Order will expire on October 3, 2021, but
Mr. TOOMEY. Mr. President, I ask is subject to further extension, modification,
tate that we ought to use the budget
unanimous consent that the following or rescission based on public health cir-
process to get our fiscal house in order.
notice from the Centers for Disease cumstances.
Instead, my Democrat colleagues are A copy of the Order is provided below. A
Control and Prevention related to an
intent on using the budget to embark copy of the signed Order and Declaration
eviction moratorium be printed in the
on a liberal wish list spending spree. form can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/
RECORD.
My Democrat colleagues’ budget coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-eviction-declara-
There being no objection, the mate-
calls for over $4 trillion in new spend- tion.html.
rial was ordered to be printed in the
ing over the next decade and annual Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
RECORD, as follows: Department of Health and Human Serv-
deficits would average $1.6 trillion over
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ices
that period. As a result, the national
SERVICES Order Under Section 361 of the Public Health
debt would reach 119 percent of our Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) and 42 Code of
economy, shattering the World War II Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions in Federal Regulations 70.2
record of 106 percent. Communities With Substantial or High Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions in
Much of this new spending, bal- Transmission of COVID–19 To Prevent Communities With Substantial or High
looning the debt and deficits, is the the Further Spread of COVID–19 Levels of Community Transmission of
product of a single bill Democrats hope AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and COVID–19 To Prevent the Further Spread
to pass before the end of the year under Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and of COVID–19
Human Services (HHS). Summary
the guise of so-called ‘‘human infra-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
structure.’’ ACTION: Agency Order. The U.S. Centers for Disease and Control
SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Con- (CDC) is issuing a new order temporarily
Infrastructure is popular and needed.
trol and Prevention (CDC), located within halting evictions in counties with height-
It helps keep our economy competitive the Department of Health and Human Serv- ened levels of community transmission in
over the long run. That is why Demo- ices (HHS) announces a new Order under Sec- order to respond to recent, unexpected devel-
crat leaders initially wanted their tion 361 of the Public Health Service Act to opments in the trajectory of the COVID–19
multitrillion dollar wish list to ride temporarily halt residential evictions in pandemic, including the rise of the Delta
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August 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6263
variant. It is intended to target specific ‘‘U.S. territory’’ shall have the same defi- CoV–2 diagnostic nucleic acid amplification
areas of the country where cases are rapidly nition as under 42 CFR 70.1, meaning ‘‘any tests in the last 7 days. For each of these
increasing, which likely would be exacer- territory (also known as possessions) of the metrics, CDC classifies transmission values
bated by mass evictions. Accordingly, sub- United States, including American Samoa, as low, moderate, substantial, or high. As of
ject to the limitations under ‘‘Applica- Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the August 1, 2021, over 80% of the U.S. counties
bility,’’ a landlord, owner of a residential Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. were classified as experiencing substantial or
property, or other person with a legal right Virgin Islands.’’ high levels of community transmission. In
to pursue eviction or possessory action, shall Statement of Intent areas of substantial or high transmission,
not evict any covered person from any resi- CDC recommends community leaders en-
This Order shall be interpreted and imple- courage vaccination and universal masking
dential property in any county or U.S. terri- mented in a manner as to achieve the fol-
tory while the county or territory is experi- in indoor public spaces in addition to other
lowing objectives: layered prevention strategies to prevent fur-
encing substantial or high levels of commu- ∑ Mitigating the spread of COVID–19 with-
nity transmission of SARS–CoV–2. ther spread.
in crowded, congregate or shared living set- COVID–19 vaccines are now widely avail-
Definitions tings, or through unsheltered homelessness; able in the United States, and vaccination is
‘‘Available government assistance’’ means ∑ Mitigating the further spread of COVID– recommended for all people 12 years of age
any governmental rental or housing pay- 19 from one state or territory into any other and older. Three COVID–19 vaccines are cur-
ment benefits available to the individual or state or territory; rently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug
any household member. ∑ Mitigating the further spread of COVID– Administration (FDA) for emergency use:
‘‘Available housing’’ means any available, 19 by temporarily suspending the eviction of Two mRNA vaccines and one viral vector
unoccupied residential property, or other covered persons from residential property for vaccine, each of which has been determined
space for occupancy in any seasonal or tem- nonpayment of rent; and to be safe and effective against COVID–19. As
porary housing, that would not violate fed- ∑ Supporting response efforts to COVID–19 of July 28, 2021, over 163 million people in the
eral, state, or local occupancy standards and at the federal, state, local, territorial, and United States (57.6% of the population 12
that would not result in an overall increase tribal levels. years or older) have been fully vaccinated
of housing cost to such individual. Background and over 189 million people in the United
‘‘Covered person’’ means any tenant, les- COVID–19 in the United States States (66.8% of the population 12 years or
see, or resident of a residential property who Since January 2020, the respiratory disease older) have received at least one dose.
provides to their landlord, the owner of the known as ‘‘COVID–19,’’ caused by a novel Changes in vaccine uptake and the extreme
residential property, or other person with a coronavirus (SARS–COV–2), has spread glob- transmissibility of the Delta variant have re-
legal right to pursue eviction or a possessory ally, including cases reported in all fifty sulted in rising numbers of COVID–19 cases,
action, a declaration under penalty of per- states within the United States, plus the primarily and disproportionately affecting
jury indicating that: District of Columbia and U.S. territories. As the unvaccinated population.
(1) The individual has used best efforts to The COVID–19 vaccination effort has a
of August 3, 2021, there have been almost 200
obtain all available governmental assistance slower rate of penetration among the popu-
million cases of COVID–19 globally, resulting
for rent or housing; lations most likely to experience eviction. In
in over 4,240,000 deaths. Almost 35,000,000
(2) The individual either (i) earned no more combination with the continued underlying
cases have been identified in the United
than $99,000 (or $198,000 if filing jointly) in COVID–19 spread, and the overlapping fac-
States, with new cases reported daily, and
Calendar Year 2020 or expects to earn no tors described above, this creates consider-
almost 610,000 deaths have been attributed to
more than $99,000 in annual income for Cal- able risk for rapid transmission of COVID–19
the disease. A renewed surge in cases in the
endar Year 2021 (or no more than $198,000 if in high-risk settings.
United States began in early July 2021; case
filing a joint tax return), (ii) was not re- In the context of a pandemic, eviction mor-
counts rose from 19,000 cases on July 1, 2021
quired to report any income in 2020 to the atoria—like quarantine, isolation, and social
to 103,000 cases on July 30, 2021. Forecasted
U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or (iii) re- distancing—can be an effective public health
case counts predict that cases will continue
ceived an Economic Impact Payment (stim- measure utilized to prevent the spread of
to rise over the next four weeks.
ulus check). communicable disease. Eviction moratoria
(3) The individual is unable to pay the full The virus that causes COVID–19 spreads
very easily and sustainably between people, facilitate self-isolation and self-quarantine
rent or make a full housing payment due to by people who become ill or who are at risk
substantial loss of household income, loss of particularly those who are in close contact
with one another (within about 6 feet, but of transmitting COVID–19.
compensable hours of work or wages, a lay- Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Re-
off, or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical occasionally over longer distances), mainly
lief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
expenses; through respiratory droplets produced when
(Pub. L. 116–136) to aid individuals and busi-
(4) The individual is using best efforts to an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
nesses adversely affected by COVID–19 in
make timely partial rent payments that are Individuals without symptoms can also
March 2020. Section 4024 of the CARES Act
as close to the full rent payment as the indi- spread the virus. Among adults, the risk for
provided a 120-day moratorium on eviction
vidual’s circumstances may permit, taking severe illness from COVID–19 increases with
filings as well as other protections for ten-
into account other nondiscretionary ex- age, with older adults at highest risk. Severe ants in certain rental properties with federal
penses; illness means that persons with COVID–19 assistance or federally related mortgage fi-
(5) Eviction would likely render the indi- may require hospitalization, intensive care, nancing. These protections helped alleviate
vidual homeless—or force the individual to or a ventilator to help them breathe, and the public health consequences of tenant dis-
move into and reside in close quarters in a may be fatal. People of any age with certain placement during the COVID–19 pandemic.
new congregate or shared living setting—be- underlying medical conditions (e.g., cancer, The CARES Act eviction moratorium ex-
cause the individual has no other available obesity, serious heart conditions, or diabe- pired on July 24, 2020. The protections in the
housing options; and tes) are at increased risk for severe illness CARES Act supplemented temporary evic-
(6) The individual resides in a U.S. county from COVID–19. tion moratoria and rent freezes implemented
experiencing substantial or high rates of New variants of SARS–CoV–2 have emerged by governors and other local officials using
community transmission levels of SARS– globally, several of which have been identi- emergency powers.
CoV–2 as defined by CDC. fied as variants of concern, including the Researchers estimated that this temporary
‘‘Evict’’ and ‘‘Eviction’’ means any action Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants. federal moratorium provided relief to over
by a landlord, owner of a residential prop- These variants of concern have evidence of one-quarter a material portion of the na-
erty, or other person with a legal right to an increase in transmissibility, which may tion’s roughly 43 million renters. The
pursue eviction or possessory action, to re- lead to higher incidence. CARES act also provided funding streams for
move or cause the removal of a covered per- Currently, the Delta variant is the pre- emergency rental assistance; surveys esti-
son from a residential property. This defini- dominant SARS–CoV–2 strain circulating in mate that this assistance became available
tion also does not prohibit foreclosure on a the United States, estimated to account for to the public through rental assistance pro-
home mortgage. over 82% of cases as of July 17, 2021. The grams by July 2020.
‘‘Residential property’’ means any prop- Delta variant has demonstrated increased The Federal moratorium provided by the
erty leased for residential purposes, includ- levels of transmissibility compared to other CARES Act, however, did not reach all rent-
ing any house, building, mobile home or land variants. Furthermore, early evidence sug- ers. Many renters who fell outside the scope
in a mobile home park, or similar dwelling gests that people who are vaccinated and be- of the Federal moratorium were instead pro-
leased for residential purposes, but shall not come infected with the Delta variant may tected under state and local moratoria. In
include any hotel, motel, or other guest transmit the virus to others. early March 2021, the Census Household
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house rented to a temporary guest or sea- Transmission of the Delta variant has led Pulse Survey estimated that 6.4 million
sonal tenant as defined under the laws of the to accelerated community transmission in households were behind on rent and just
state, territorial, tribal, or local jurisdic- the United States. CDC recommends assess- under half fear imminent eviction. In 2016,
tion. ing the level of community transmission research showed that there were 3.6 million
‘‘State’’ shall have the same definition as using, at a minimum, two metrics: new eviction filings and 1.5 million eviction judg-
under 42 CFR 70.1, meaning ‘‘any of the 50 COVID–19 cases per 100,000 persons in the last ments over the span of a whole year, mean-
states, plus the District of Columbia.’’ 7 days and percentage of positive SARS– ing that the pandemic would cause a wave of
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S6264 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 10, 2021
evictions on a scale that would be unprece- ance continued to increase in June, with 30% increased risk of contracting COVID–19
dented in modern times. A large portion of nearly 300,000 households served. Based on among people who were evicted and those
those who are evicted may move into close analysis of grantee reporting, Treasury be- with whom they shared housing after evic-
quarters in shared housing or, as discussed lieves that the monthly deployment of rental tion. Compared to a scenario where no evic-
below, become homeless, thus becoming at assistance by state and local emergency tions occurred, the models also predicted a
higher risk of COVID–19. rental assistance programs will continue to 4%–40% increased risk of infection, even for
On September 4, 2020, the CDC Director increase from the significant deployment in those who did not share housing, as a result
issued an Order temporarily halting evic- June. In addition to Emergency Rental As- of increased overall transmission. The au-
tions in the United States for the reasons de- sistance, there are coordinated efforts across thors estimated that anywhere from 1,000 to
scribed therein. That Order was set to expire Federal agencies to—in partnership with 100,000 excess cases per million population
on December 31, 2020, subject to further ex- states and localities—promote eviction pre- could be attributable to evictions depending
tension, modification, or rescission. Section vention strategies. on the eviction and infection rates.
502 of Title V, Division N of the Consolidated Recent data from the U.S. Census House- An analysis of observational data from
Appropriations Act, 2021 extended the Order hold Pulse Survey demonstrates that just state-based eviction moratoria in 43 states
until January 31, 2021, and approved the under half of households behind on rent be- and the District of Columbia showed signifi-
Order as an exercise of the CDC’s authority lieve that an eviction is likely in the next cant increases in COVID–19 incidence and
under Section 361 of the Public Health Serv- two months. A surge in evictions could lead mortality approximately 2–3 months after
to the immediate and significant movement eviction moratoria were lifted. Specifically,
ice Act (42 U.S.C. 264). With the extension of
of large numbers of persons from lower den- the authors compared the COVID–19 inci-
the Order, Congress also provided $25 billion
sity to higher density housing at a time in dence and mortality rates in states that lift-
for emergency rental assistance for the pay-
the United States when the highly trans- ed their moratoria with the rates in states
ment of rent and rental arrears. Congress
missible Delta variant is driving COVID–19 that maintained their moratoria. In these
later provided an additional $21.55 billion in models, the authors accounted for time-vary-
emergency rental assistance when it passed cases at an unprecedented rate.
Evicted renters must move, which leads to ing indicators of each state’s test count as
the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The well as major public-health interventions in-
Order was extended multiple times due to multiple outcomes that increase the risk of
COVID–19 spread. Specifically, many evicted cluding lifting stay-at-home orders, school
the changing public health landscape and ex- closures, and mask mandates. After adjust-
renters move into close quarters in shared
pired on July 31, 2021 after what was in- ing for these other changes, they found that
housing or other congregate settings. These
tended to be the final extension. Absent an the incidence of COVID–19 in states that lift-
moves may require crossing state borders.
unexpected change in the trajectory of the ed their moratoria was 1.6 times that of
According to the 2017 Census Bureau Amer-
pandemic, CDC did not plan to extend the states that did not at 10 weeks post-lifting
ican Housing Survey, 32% of renters reported
Order further. (95% CI 1.0, 2.3), a ratio that grew to 2.1 at
that they would move in with friends or fam-
Following the recent surge in cases
ily members upon eviction, which would in- ≥16 weeks (CI 1.1, 3.9). Similarly, they found
brought forth by the highly transmissible that mortality in states that lifted their
troduce new household members and poten-
Delta variant, the CDC Director now issues a moratoria was 1.6 times that of states that
tially increase household crowding. Studies
new Order temporarily halting evictions for did not at 7 weeks post-lifting (CI 1.2, 2.3), a
show that COVID–19 transmission occurs
persons in counties experiencing substantial
readily within households. The secondary at- ratio that grew to 5.4 at ≥16 weeks (CI 3.1,
or high rates of transmission, for the reasons 9.3). The authors estimated that, nationally,
tack rate in households has been estimated
described herein. This Order will expire on over 433,000 cases of COVID–19 and over 10,000
to be 17%, and household contacts are esti-
October 3, 2021, but is subject to further ex- deaths could be attributed to lifting state
mated to be 6 times more likely to become
tension, modification, or rescission based on moratoria.
infected by an index case of COVID–19 than Although data are limited, available evi-
public health circumstances.
Researchers estimate that, in 2020, Fed- other close contacts. A study of pregnant dence suggests evictions lead to interstate
eral, state, and local eviction moratoria led women in New York City showed that women spread of COVID–19 in two ways. First, an
to over 1.5 million fewer evictions filings in large households (greater number of resi- eviction may lead the evicted members of a
than the previous year. Additional research dents per household) were three times as household to move across state lines. Of the
shows that, despite the CDC eviction mora- likely to test positive for SARS–CoV–2 than 35 million people in America who move each
torium leading to an estimated 50% decrease those in smaller households, and those in year, 15% move to a new state. Second, even
in eviction filings compared to the historical neighborhoods with greater household if a particular eviction, standing alone,
average, there have still been over 450,000 crowding (>1 resident per room) were twice would not always result in interstate dis-
eviction filings during the pandemic just as likely to test positive. Throughout the placement, the mass evictions that would
within approximately 31 cities and six states United States, counties with the highest pro- occur in the absence of this Order would in-
with more readily available data. This data portion of crowded households have experi- evitably increase the interstate spread of
covers approximately 1 in 4 renter house- enced COVID–19 mortality rates 2.6 times COVID–19. This Order cannot effectively
holds in the country, suggesting high de- those of counties with the lowest proportion mitigate interstate transmission of COVID–
mand and likelihood of mass evictions na- of crowded households. 19 without covering intrastate evictions
Shared housing is not limited to friends (evictions occurring within the boundaries of
tionwide.
and family. It includes a broad range of set- a state or territory), as the level of spread of
Eviction, Crowding, and Interstate Trans- tings, including transitional housing and do- SARS–CoV–2 resulting from these evictions
mission of COVID–19 mestic violence and abuse shelters. Special can lead to SARS–CoV–2 transmission across
By February 10, 2021, the U.S. Department considerations exist for such housing be- state borders.
of the Treasury had paid all of the $25 billion cause of the challenges of maintaining social Moreover, intrastate spread facilitates
made available by the Consolidated Appro- distance. Residents often gather closely or interstate spread in the context of commu-
priations Act, 2021 to states, territories, lo- use shared equipment, such as kitchen appli- nicable disease spread, given the nature of
calities and tribes for the purpose of pro- ances, laundry facilities, stairwells, and ele- infectious disease. In the aggregate, the
viding emergency rental assistance to eligi- vators. Residents may have unique needs, mass-scale evictions that will likely occur in
ble households in their jurisdictions. Addi- such as disabilities, chronic health condi- the absence of this Order in areas of substan-
tionally, as directed in the Act, Treasury has tions, cognitive decline, or limited access to tial or high transmission will inevitably in-
also made available 40 percent—more than technology, and thus may find it more dif- crease interstate spread of COVID–19.
$8.6 billion—of the additional funding to ficult to take actions to protect themselves Eviction, Homelessness, and COVID–19
states, territories and localities for emer- from COVID–19. CDC recommends that shel- Transmission
gency rental assistance provided in the ters provide new residents with a clean Evicted individuals without access to sup-
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. While mask, keep them isolated from others, port or other assistance options may become
some emergency rental assistance programs screen for symptoms at entry, or arrange for homeless, including older adults or those
were slow to open, every State program had medical evaluations as needed depending on with underlying medical conditions, who are
opened by early June. Based on data col- symptoms. Accordingly, an influx of new more at risk for severe illness from COVID–
lected from grantees, Treasury reports that residents at facilities that offer support serv- 19 than the general population. In Seattle-
over 85,000 renter households received rental ices could potentially overwhelm staff and, if King County, 5–15% of people experiencing
and utility assistance to support their hous- recommendations are not followed, lead to homelessness between 2018 and 2020 cited
ing stability by the end of March and this exposures. eviction as the primary reason for becoming
number increased to more than 100,000 in Modeling studies and observational data homeless. Additionally, some individuals and
April, more than 156,000 in May and over from the pre-vaccine phase of the COVID–19 families who are evicted may originally stay
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290,000 in June. Though emergency rental as- pandemic comparing incidence between with family or friends, but subsequently seek
sistance has clearly started to reach increas- states that implemented and lifted eviction homeless services. Data collection by an
ing numbers of families over recent months, moratoria indicate that evictions substan- emergency shelter in Columbus, Ohio,
state and local agencies have hundreds of tially contribute to COVID–19 transmission. showed that 35.4% of families and 11.4% of
thousands of applications for assistance that In mathematical models where eviction led single adults reported an eviction as the pri-
currently remain outstanding as programs exclusively to sharing housing with friends mary or secondary reason for their seeking
accelerate their activity. The level of assist- or family, lifting eviction moratoria led to a shelter.
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August 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6265
Extensive outbreaks of COVID–19 have vulnerability (i.e., social and structural fac- This Order is a temporary eviction morato-
been identified in homeless shelters. In Se- tors associated with adverse health outcome rium to prevent the further spread of
attle, Washington, a network of three re- inclusive of socioeconomic indicators related COVID–19. This Order does not relieve any
lated homeless shelters experienced an out- to risk of eviction)had lower levels of individual of any obligation to pay rent,
break that led to 43 cases among residents COVID–19 vaccination. make a housing payment, or comply with
and staff members. In Boston, Massachu- CDC Eviction Moratorium any other obligation that the individual may
setts, universal COVID–19 testing at a single The Department of the Treasury has made have under a tenancy, lease, or similar con-
shelter revealed 147 cases, representing 36% funding available to states, territories, local- tract. Nothing in this Order precludes the
of shelter residents. COVID–19 testing in a ities, and Tribal governments, which con- charging or collecting of fees, penalties, or
single shelter in San Francisco led to the tinue to distribute emergency rental assist- interest as a result of the failure to pay rent
identification of 101 cases (67% of those test- ance funds that may help mitigate spikes in or other housing payment on a timely basis,
ed). Data from 634 universal diagnostic test- COVID–19 transmission due to increases in under the terms of any applicable contract.
ing events at homeless shelters in 21 states evictions. Alongside other federal and state Nothing in this Order precludes evictions
show an average of 6% positivity among efforts to prevent evictions, these funds are based on a tenant, lessee, or resident: (1) En-
shelter clients. Data comparing the inci- expected to make a meaningful difference for gaging in criminal activity while on the
dence or severity of COVID–19 among people hundreds of thousands of people who are ex- premises; (2) threatening the health or safety
experiencing homelessness directly to the pected to receive the rental assistance. of other residents; (3) damaging or posing an
general population are limited. However, On September 4, 2020, the CDC Director immediate and significant risk of damage to
during the 15-day period of the outbreak in issued an Order temporarily halting evic- property; (4) violating any applicable build-
Boston, MA, researchers estimated a cumu- tions in the United States for the reasons de- ing code, health ordinance, or similar regula-
lative incidence of 46.3 cases of COVID–19 per scribed therein. That Order was set to expire tion relating to health and safety; or (5) vio-
1000 persons experiencing homelessness, as on December 31, 2020, subject to further ex- lating any other contractual obligation,
compared to 1.9 cases per 1000 among Massa- tension, modification, or rescission. Section other than the timely payment of rent or
chusetts adults (pre-print). 502 of Title V, Division N of the Consolidated similar housing-related payment (including
Among other things, CDC guidance rec- Appropriations Act, 2021 extended the Order non-payment or late payment of fees, pen-
ommends increasing physical distance be- until January 31, 2021. With the extension of alties, or interest).
tween beds in homeless shelters, which is the Order, Congress also provided $25 billion Any evictions for nonpayment of rent ini-
likely to decrease capacity, while commu- for emergency rental assistance for the pay- tiated prior to issuance of this Order but not
nity transmission of COVID–19 is occurring. ment of rent and rental arrears. Congress yet completed, are subject to this Order. Any
To adhere to this guidance, shelters have later provided an additional $21.55 billion in tenant, lessee, or resident of a residential
limited the number of people served through- emergency rental assistance when it passed property who previously submitted a Dec-
out the United States. In many places, con- the American Rescue Plan. laration, still qualifies as a ‘‘Covered Per-
siderably fewer beds are available to individ- On January 29, 2021, following an assess- son’’ and is still present in a rental unit is
uals who become homeless. Shelters that do ment of the ongoing pandemic, the CDC Di- entitled to protections under this Order. Any
not adhere to the guidance, and operate at rector renewed the Order until March 31, eviction that was completed before issuance
ordinary or increased occupancy, are at 2021. On March 28, the CDC Director renewed of this Order including from August 1
greater risk for the types of outbreaks de- the Order until June 30, 2021. On June 24, the through August 3, 2021 is not subject to this
scribed above. CDC Director renewed the Order until July Order, as it does not operate retroactively.
Application of COVID–19 Prevention Strate- 31, 2021 (July Order). The CDC Director indi- Under this Order, covered persons may be
gies Based on Community Transmission cated that the July Order would be the final evicted for engaging in criminal activity
extension of the nationwide eviction morato- while on the premises. But covered persons
CDC recommends strengthening or adding
rium absent an unexpected change in the may not be evicted on the sole basis that
effective COVID–19 mitigation strategies in
trajectory of the pandemic. Unfortunately, they are alleged to have committed the
communities with considerable transmission
the rise of the Delta variant and cor- crime of trespass (or similar state-law of-
risk. As discussed above, CDC guidance
responding rise in cases in numerous coun- fense) where the underlying activity is a cov-
specifies that everyone, regardless of vac-
ties in the United States have altered the ered person remaining in a residential prop-
cination status, should wear masks in indoor
trajectory of the pandemic. As a result, CDC erty for nonpayment of rent. Permitting
and public settings in communities experi-
is issuing this narrower, more targeted Order such evictions would result in substantially
encing substantial or high rates of commu-
to temporarily halt evictions in the hardest more evictions overall, thus increasing the
nity transmission. Similarly, CDC guidance
hit areas. Without this Order, evictions in risk of disease transmission as otherwise
for homeless shelters recommends maintain- these areas would likely exacerbate the in-
ing layered COVID–19 precautions as long as covered persons move into congregate set-
crease in cases. To the extent any provision tings or experience homelessness. This result
community transmission is occurring and of this Order conflicts with prior Orders, this
provides options for scaling back precautions would be contrary to the stated objectives of
Order is controlling.
when community transmission is low. this Order, and therefore would diminish
Eviction moratoria represent a COVID–19 Applicability their effectiveness. Moreover, to the extent
transmission prevention measure that can This Order applies in U.S. counties experi- such criminal trespass laws are invoked to
similarly be applied when the epidemiolog- encing substantial and high levels of commu- establish criminal activity solely based on a
ical context is appropriate, for example in nity transmission levels of SARS–CoV–2 as tenant, lessee, or resident of a residential
communities with substantial or high trans- defined by CDC, as of August 3, 2021. If a U.S. property remaining in a residential property
mission of COVID–19. Prevention strategies county that is not covered by this Order as despite the nonpayment of rent, such invoca-
like these should only be relaxed or lifted of August 3, 2021 later experiences substan- tion conflicts with this Order and is pre-
after two weeks of continuous sustained im- tial or high levels of community trans- empted pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 264(e).
provement in the level of community trans- mission while this Order is in effect, then Individuals who are confirmed to have,
mission. In areas with low or no SARS–CoV– that county will become subject to this who have been exposed to, or who might
2 transmission and with testing capacity in Order as of the date the county begins expe- have COVID–19 and take reasonable pre-
place to detect early introduction or in- riencing substantial or high levels of com- cautions to not spread the disease may not
creases in spread of the virus, layered pre- munity transmission. If a U.S. county that is be evicted on grounds that they may pose a
vention strategies might be removed one at covered by this Order no longer experiences health or safety threat to other residents.
a time while monitoring closely for any evi- substantial or high levels of community This Order is in effect through October 3,
dence that COVID–19 cases are increasing. transmission for 14 consecutive days, then 2021, based on the current and projected epi-
Decisions to add or remove prevention strat- this Order will no longer apply in that coun- demiological context of SARS–CoV–2 trans-
egies should be based on local data and pub- ty, unless and until the county again experi- mission throughout the United States. This
lic health recommendations. The emergence ences substantial or high levels of commu- timeframe will allow the assessment of nat-
of more transmissible SARS–CoV–2 variants, nity transmission while this Order is in ef- ural changes to COVID–19 incidence, the in-
fect. fluences of new variants, additional distribu-
including Delta, increases the urgency for
This Order does not apply in any state, tion of emergency rental assistance funds,
public health agencies and other organiza-
local, territorial, or tribal area with a mora- and the expansion of COVID–19 vaccine up-
tions to collaboratively monitor the status torium on residential evictions that provides
of the pandemic in their communities and take.
the same or greater level of public-health
continue to apply layered prevention strate- protection than the requirements listed in Declaration Forms
gies. this Order or to the extent its application is To qualify for the protections of this
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Persons at Higher Risk of Eviction May Also prohibited by Federal court order. In accord- Order, a tenant, lessee, or resident of a resi-
Be at Higher Risk of Being Unvaccinated ance with 42 U.S.C. 264(e), this Order does not dential property must provide a completed
Communities with high rates of eviction preclude state, local, territorial, and tribal and signed copy of a declaration with the
have been shown to have lower coverage of authorities from imposing additional re- elements listed in the definition of ‘‘Covered
COVID–19 vaccination—a focus for current quirements that provide greater public- person’’ to their landlord, owner of the resi-
vaccination campaigns. A study in the spring health protection and are more restrictive dential property where they live, or other
of 2021 showed that counties with high social than the requirements in this Order. person who has a right to have them evicted
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S6266 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 10, 2021
or removed from where they live. To assist place, a wave of evictions, on the order of lic health threat—of the risk of large num-
tenants and landlords, the CDC created a hundreds of thousands, could occur in late bers of residential evictions contributing to
standardized declaration form that can be summer and early fall, exacerbating the the spread of COVID–19 throughout the
downloaded here: https://www.cdc.gov/ spread of COVID–19 among the significant United States—continues to exist. Without
coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/declaration- percentage of the population that remains this Order, there is every reason to expect
form.pdf. unvaccinated. In appropriating these emer- that evictions will increase dramatically at
Tenants, lessees, and residents of residen- gency rental assistance funds, Congress in- a time when COVID–19 infections in the
tial property are not obligated to use the tended that the funding would work in con- United States are increasing sharply. It is
CDC form. Any written document that an el- cert with the eviction moratorium, providing imperative that public health authorities act
igible tenant, lessee, or resident of residen- time for rental assistance to reach eligible quickly to mitigate such an increase of evic-
tial property presents to their landlord will tenants and landlords to sustainably reduce tions, which could increase the likelihood of
comply with this Order, as long as it con- the threat of an eviction wave after an evic- new spikes in SARS–CoV–2 transmission.
tains the required elements of ‘‘Covered per- tion moratorium was no longer in effect. Such mass evictions and the attendant pub-
son’’ as described in this Order. In they meet While the pace of assistance is continuing to lic health consequences would be very dif-
the elements of ‘‘Covered person’’ in other increase, without additional time for states ficult to reverse.
languages. and localities to deliver this needed relief For all of these reasons, I hereby conclude
All declarations, regardless of form used, and engage in other efforts to prevent evic- that immediate action is again necessary
must be signed, and must include a state- tions, a surge of evictions would occur upon and that notice-and-comment rulemaking
ment that the tenant, lessee, or resident of a the conclusion of the national moratorium. and a delay in effective date would be im-
residential property understands that they A surge in evictions would lead to immediate practicable and contrary to the public inter-
could be liable for perjury for any false or movement, crowding, and increased stress on est.
misleading statements or omissions in the the homeless service system. In combination Miscellaneous
declaration. This Order does not preclude a with surging COVID–19 rates across the Similarly, if this Order qualifies as a rule
landlord challenging the truthfulness of a country, and the overlapping factors de- under the APA, the Office of Information and
tenant’s, lessee’s, or resident’s declaration in scribed above, this would create considerable Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has determined
court, as permitted under state or local law. risk for the rapid transmission of COVID–19 that it would be an economically significant
In certain circumstances, such as individ- in high-risk settings. regulatory action pursuant to Executive
uals filing a joint tax return, it may be ap- Based on the convergence of these issues, I Order 12866 and a major rule under Subtitle
propriate for one member of the residence to have determined that issuing a new Order E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforce-
provide an executed declaration on behalf of temporarily halting evictions is appropriate. ment Fairness Act of 1996 (the Congressional
the other adult residents party to the lease, Accordingly, a landlord, owner of a resi- Review Act or CRA), 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Thus,
rental agreement, or housing contract. The dential property, or other person with a legal this action has been reviewed by OIRA. CDC
declaration may be signed and transmitted right to pursue eviction or possessory action has determined that for the same reasons
either electronically or by hard copy. shall not evict any covered person from any given above, there would be good cause under
As long as the information in a previously residential property in any county or U.S. the CRA to make the requirements herein ef-
signed declaration submitted under a pre- territory while COVID–19 transmission is fective immediately. 5 U.S.C. 808(2).
vious order remains truthful and accurate, substantial or high and the relevant state, If any provision of this Order, or the appli-
covered persons do not need to submit a new county, locality, or territory has provided a cation of any provision to any persons, enti-
declaration under this Order. However, eligi- level of public-health protections below the ties, or circumstances, shall be held invalid,
bility for protection will be based on the requirements listed in this Order. the remainder of the provisions, or the appli-
terms of this Order. This Order is not a rule within the mean- cation of such provisions to any persons, en-
Determination, Findings and Action ing of the Administrative Procedure Act tities, or circumstances other than those to
For the reasons described herein, I have de- (APA) but rather an emergency action taken which it is held invalid, shall remain valid
termined based on the information below under the existing authority of 42 CFR 70.2. and in effect.
that issuing a temporary halt in evictions in The purpose of section 70.2, which was pro- This Order shall be enforced by federal au-
counties experiencing substantial or high mulgated through notice-and-comment rule- thorities and cooperating state and local au-
levels of COVID–19 transmission constitutes making, is to enable CDC to take swift steps thorities through the provisions of 18 U.S.C.
a reasonably necessary measure under 42 to prevent contagion without having to seek 3559, 3571; 42 U.S.C. 243, 268, 271; and 42 CFR
CFR 70.2 to prevent the further spread of a second round of public comments and with- 70.18. However, this Order has no effect on
COVID–19 throughout the United States. I out a delay in effective date. the contractual obligations of renters to pay
have further determined that measures by Good Cause rent and shall not preclude charging or col-
states, localities, or territories that do not In the event this Order qualifies as a rule lecting fees, penalties, or interest as a result
meet or exceed these minimum protections under the APA, there is good cause to dis- of the failure to pay rent or other housing
are insufficient to prevent the interstate pense with prior public notice and comment payment on a timely basis, under the terms
spread of COVID–19. and a delay in effective date. See 5 U.S.C. of any applicable contract.
State and local jurisdictions continue to 553(b)(B), (d)(3). Good cause exists, in sum, Criminal Penalties
distribute emergency rental assistance because the public health emergency caused Under 18 U.S.C. 3559, 3571; 42 U.S.C. 271; and
funds, provided by the Department of Treas- by the COVID–19 pandemic and the unpre- 42 CFR 70.18, a person violating this Order
ury, that will help avert a spate of evictions dictability of the trajectory of the pandemic may be subject to a fine of no more than
and thus mitigate corresponding spikes in make it impracticable and contrary to the $100,000 or one year in jail, or both, if the vio-
COVID–19 transmission. Trends have dra- public health, and by extension the public in- lation does not result in a death, or a fine of
matically worsened since June 2021 and terest, to delay the issuance and effective no more than $250,000 or one year in jail, or
transmission is rapidly accelerating in the date of this Order. both if the violation results in a death, or as
United States. I have determined that good cause exists otherwise provided by law. An organization
Congress has appropriated approximately because the public health emergency caused violating this Order may be subject to a fine
$46 billion—of which almost three-quarters is by COVID–19 makes it impracticable and of no more than $200,000 per event if the vio-
currently available to state and local grant- contrary to the public health, and by exten- lation does not result in a death or $500,000
ees—to help pay rent and rental arrears for sion the public interest, to delay the per event if the violation results in a death
tenants who may otherwise be at high risk of issuance and effective date of the Order. A or as otherwise provided by law. The U.S.
eviction. According to estimates based on delay in the effective date of the Order would Department of Justice may initiate criminal
the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey, ap- permit the occurrence of evictions—poten- proceedings as appropriate seeking imposi-
proximately 6.9 million renter households tially on a mass scale—that would have po- tion of these criminal penalties.
were behind on their rent in late June. At tentially significant public health con- Notice to Cooperating State and Local Offi-
that time, about 4.6 million renter house- sequences. I conclude that the delay in the cials
holds were concerned that they could not effective date of the Order would defeat the
pay next month’s rent. The successful deliv- purpose of the Order and endanger the public Under 42 U.S.C. 243, the U.S. Department of
ery of those funds by states and localities health and, therefore, determine that imme- Health and Human Services is authorized to
should greatly reduce the incidence of evic- diate action is necessary. cooperate with and aid state and local au-
tion that would occur in the absence of that The rapidly changing nature of the pan- thorities in the enforcement of their quar-
support. However, many states and localities demic requires not only that CDC act swift- antine and other health regulations and to
accept state and local assistance in the en-
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are still ramping up the collection and proc- ly, but also deftly to ensure that its actions
essing of applications and the delivery of as- are commensurate with the threat. This nec- forcement of Federal quarantine rules and
sistance and putting in place other eviction essarily involves assessing evolving condi- regulations, including in the enforcement of
prevention strategies. It was only in the be- tions that inform CDC’s determinations. De- this Order.
ginning of June that all state-run emergency spite promising trends in the spring of 2021, Notice of Available Federal Resources
rental assistance programs had opened for the surge of cases spurred by the Delta vari- While this Order to prevent eviction is ef-
applications. If the moratorium is not in ant has confirmed that the fundamental pub- fectuated to protect the public health, the
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August 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6267
states and units of local government are re- Sherri Berger, gime continues to deny prisoners due
minded that the Federal Government has de- Chief of Staff, Centers for Disease Control process, access to family contact, and
ployed unprecedented resources to address and Prevention. legal counsel. Essentially, many of
the pandemic, including housing assistance. [FR Doc. 2021–16945 Filed 8–4–21; 2:00 pm] them have been disappeared.
The Department of Housing and Urban De- BILLING CODE 4163–18–P On Friday, Ortega cancelled the reg-
velopment (HUD), the Department of Agri-
f istration of the last remaining opposi-
culture, and the Department of the Treasury
have informed CDC that unprecedented NICARAGUA tion political party that was positioned
emergency resources have been appropriated to participate in the November elec-
through various Federal agencies that assist
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise tions, Ciudadanos por la Libertad—
renters and landlords during the pandemic, today to discuss the accelerating polit- Citizens for Freedom. The regime went
including $46.55 billion to the Treasury ical crisis in Nicaragua and the Ortega as far as to strip the head of that party
through the Consolidated Appropriations Act regime’s anti-democratic efforts to of her Nicaraguan citizenship. These
of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan (ARP). hold illegitimate elections in Novem- are not actions that would be tolerated
Furthermore, in 2020 44 states and 310 local ber. in any democratic system in the world;
jurisdictions allocated about $3.9 billion to- On November 7, Daniel Ortega will these are the actions of a tin-pot dic-
ward emergency rental assistance, largely attempt to deny the Nicaraguan people
from funds appropriated to HUD from the tator.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu-
their most basic right: the right to The events since June are the cul-
rity (CARES). These three rounds of federal choose their country’s leaders in free mination of the Ortega regime’s years-
appropriations also provided substantial re- and fair elections. This grave restric- long process to dismantle democracy in
sources for homeless services, homeowner as- tion on basic democratic freedoms con- Nicaragua. When Nicaraguans took to
sistance, and supplemental stimulus and un- firms that the Ortega regime is con- the streets to protest their living con-
employment benefits that low-income rent- solidating the Western Hemisphere’s ditions in 2018, the regime responded
ers used to pay rent. third dictatorship. In the lead up to with a brutal campaign of violence.
Visit https://covid.cdc.gov/coviddata-track- these elections and in response to unre- Over 330 protesters were killed. Today,
er/#county-view for an integrated, county strained assaults against democracy, the number of Nicaraguans fleeing the
view of levels of community transmission for
monitoring the COVID–19 pandemic in the
the U.S. Senate unanimously passed country is on the rise, increasing the
United States. Visit https:// my legislation entitled the ‘‘Rein- complexity and reach of the challenge.
home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/state- forcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Con- The Ortega-Murillo regime’s authori-
and-localgovernments for more information ditions for Electoral Reform tarian power grab poses a direct chal-
about the Coronavirus Relief Fund and (RENACER) Act.’’ This bipartisan leg- lenge to U.S. national security and re-
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/ islation, taken together with the Biden gional stability. I am proud to have au-
emergency-rental-assistance-program for administration’s additional imposition thored the RENACER Act and to lead
more information about the Emergency of visa restrictions against individuals the bipartisan, bicameral effort to send
Rental Assistance Program. Visit a clear message to Daniel Ortega and
www.consumerfinance.gov/renthelp to access
affiliated with the regime, dem-
onstrates the United States is firmly Rosario Murillo: Reverse course now
the Rental Assistance Finder that connects
renters and landlords with the state and committed to the restoration of de- and the international community
local programs that are distributing billions mocracy to Nicaragua. stands ready to support the restoration
of dollars in federal assistance. Relevant The legislation is also consistent of democracy; or continue down the
agencies have informed CDC that forbear- with our commitments to promote and current path and face consequences.
ance policies for mortgages backed by the defend democracy in the Americas. As The RENACER Act requires the
federal government provide many landlords, the 20th anniversary of the Inter-Amer- United States, working with our part-
especially smaller landlords, with temporary ners in the European Union, Canada,
relief as new emergency rental assistance
ican Democratic Charter approaches
next month, we must recognize that a and Latin America and the Caribbean,
programs are deployed. to align our diplomatic efforts and
Treasury, HUD, and USDA grantees and growing trend of deeply flawed and
fraudulent electoral processes jeopard- sanctions tools to push for one goal,
program participants play a critical role in
izes regional consensus in support of democratic elections. The bill requires
prioritizing efforts to support this goal. All
communities should assess what resources free, fair, and transparent elections increased intelligence reporting on the
have already been allocated to prevent evic- across the Americas. Whether in Nica- regime’s corruption and its malign
tions and homelessness through temporary ragua in 2016, Honduras in 2017, Bolivia partnership with Russia. This legisla-
rental assistance and homelessness preven- tion will provide for better documenta-
in 2019, Guyana in 2020, or Venezuela in
tion, particularly to the most vulnerable tion of human rights violations and
households. 2017, 2018, and 2020, democratic elec-
guarantee that the regime and its
Treasury, HUD, and USDA stand at the tions are under attack by autocrats
enablers are held accountable.
ready to support American communities in and populists alike. Regretfully, the The law further calls for the Presi-
taking these steps to reduce the spread of Ortega regime is taking steps to con- dent to review Nicaragua’s participa-
COVID–19 and maintain economic prosperity. tinue this trend. tion in the Central America Free Trade
For program support, including technical Today, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Agreement—CAFTA. The United
assistance, please visit Murillo hold more than 140 political
www.hudexchange.info/programsupport. For States would never sign a free trade
prisoners, including eight opposition agreement with Belarus given the au-
further information on HUD resources, tools, candidates for President and Vice
and guidance available to respond to the thoritarian conditions that exist in the
COVID–19 pandemic, state and local officials
President. These individuals represent country. And the United States should
are directed to visit https://www.hud.gov/ a broad political spectrum and include not turn a blind eye if one of our free
coronavirus. These tools include toolkits for Arturo Cruz, Félix Maradiaga, Juan trade partners becomes the Belarus of
Public Housing Authorities and Housing Sebastián Chamorro, Medardo Central America.
Choice Voucher landlords related to housing Mairena, and Miguel Mora. Three more In closing, let there be no doubts—
stability and eviction prevention, as well as contenders, Berenice Quezada, the United States will continue to sup-
similar guidance for owners and renters in Cristiana Chamorro, and Noel port defenders of democracy in Nica-
HUD-assisted multifamily properties. Fur- Vidaurre, are under house arrest.
thermore, tenants can visit ragua, condemn violence and intimida-
consumerfinance.gov/housing for up-to-date
On July 27, the regime incarcerated tion, and hold accountable the Ortega
information on rent relief options, protec- the country’s 76-year-old former Min- regime and those who support it. If
tions, and key deadlines. ister of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Daniel Ortega assumes a fourth con-
Effective Date
Aguirre Sacasa, under bogus charges of secutive term via sham elections, he
treason and without regard for his will rule without a shred of legitimacy.
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This Order is effective on August 3, 2021
health or well-being. The regime is I urge my colleagues in the House of
and will remain in effect through October 3,
2021, subject to revision based on the chang- holding Sacasa and many others at El Representatives to pass the RENACER
ing public health landscape. Chipote detention center: a facility in- Act so that we can speak with a single
Authority: The authority for this Order is famous for acts of torture and ill-treat- voice and make it clear that Daniel
Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act ment, according to the United Nations Ortega’s paranoia of losing at the bal-
(42 U.S.C. 264) and 42 CFR 70.2. Human Rights Commission. The re- lot box is no excuse for his systematic
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