A federal judge on Friday denied a request submitted by Alabama landlords to block the Biden administration’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) renewed eviction moratorium.
President Joe Biden’s eviction moratorium applies to areas that the CDC determines to be highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous eviction ban expired July 31 after Congress failed to address the issue, which led Biden to direct the CDC to renew the moratorium until Oct. 3.
Judge Dabney Friedrich of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia delivered a victory for the Biden administration, denying landlords the ability to evict tenants who have fallen behind on their rent, even if their economic situation remains unaffected by the pandemic.
According to CNBC, the Trump-appointed Judge Friedrich admitted the CDC’s directive was illegal, but ruled against the Alabama landlords on technical grounds, saying that the “Court’s hands are tied,” due to a prior appellate court ruling to keep the moratorium in effect. She later indicated the landlords could take the challenge to the D.C. Circuit.
The outlet noted that the landlords are likely to appeal the ruling.
Many landlords and property rights advocates across the nation stand in fierce opposition to the Biden administration’s eviction moratorium, as they believe it to be a blatant violation of the law.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Friday issued a statement defending the moratorium.
“The Administration believes that CDC’s new moratorium is a proper use of its lawful authority to protect the public health,” stated Psaki. “We are pleased that the district court left the moratorium in place, though we are aware that further proceedings in this case are likely.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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