Rep. Payne ‘Disappointed’ Congress Failed To Extend Eviction Ban

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of New Jersey was one of several lawmakers to express his “extreme disappointment” after Congress failed to extend a federal eviction ban last weekend.

Although New Jersey renters have extra protection due to a separate state moratorium that expires on Jan. 1, 2022, the move places 15 million U.S. residents at risk of being booted from their homes, Payne said Monday.

According to Payne, extending the federal ban on evictions – which was created to help renters and landlords during the coronavirus pandemic – would give states more time to use tens of billions in Congressional aid that they’ve already been allotted.

According to data released by the Treasury Department, only $3 billion of nearly $47 billion allocated by Congress was provided to about 630,000 households by June 30 – less than 4 percent of the money allotted.

“I was extremely disappointed that we were unable to extend the eviction moratorium in Congress,” Payne said. “I was working with Rep. Maxine Waters for weeks to get this bill on the House floor.”

“These are Americans who have suffered incredible personal and financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the congressman said. “We don’t want to make them homeless on top of it.”

Payne pointed out that it’s not just renters who are hurting, it’s landlords, too.

“We need to get this pandemic aid to the landlords to prevent these evictions,” Payne said. “If not, the evictions will lead to property foreclosures for the landlords.”

The congressman said he’s “proud” that New Jersey is going to keep the state’s eviction moratorium until the end of the year.

“But Congress must make the eviction moratorium extension a higher priority and find a way to pass it soon,” he added. “It’s something that affects people in every state and Congressional District.”

The state's 10th Congressional District includes the following towns in Essex, Hudson and Union County: Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark, Orange, South Orange, West Orange, Bayonne, Jersey City, Hillside, Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, and Union Township.

• See related article: NJ Courts Prepare For Onslaught Of Coronavirus Eviction Cases
• See related article: Situation 'Dire' For Millions Of US Renters, Rep. Sherrill Warns

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