- A 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court in June allowed the eviction moratorium to remain in place.
- But Justice Kavanaugh signaled he would switch his vote if the CDC extended the freeze again.
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden’s eviction moratorium is in place for now, but Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh will likely get the final word on how long it lasts.
Biden’s effort to revive the moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic is back before the Supreme Court, which is expected to decide in the coming days whether to block it. Kavanaugh, who had previously indicated he wouldn’t support an extension, will be the key justice to watch in the dispute.
Millions of Americans are behind on rent and could face eviction if the high court stops the moratorium ordered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On the other hand, property owners say they’ve had to pay their own expenses for months while some tenants have stopped paying rent because of the freeze.
The real estate groups also assert the CDC exceeded its authority.
“Beyond the moratorium itself, the CDC’s sweeping view of its own domain would, if left unchecked, allow it to adopt future regulations governing nearly all aspects of national life in the name of public health,” the groups told the Supreme Court.
New freeze:Biden issues moratorium on evictions for areas hit hardest by COVID-19
Prior appeal:Supreme Court asked to block CDC’s eviction moratorium
Earlier decision:Supreme Court permits federal…
