WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 - President Joe Biden's administration asked the U.S. Supreme CourtU.S. Supreme Court to leave in place a COVID - 19 pandemic-related federal ban on residential evictions while the justices consider a challenge by landlord groups to the legality of the ban.
In a court filing, U.S. Justice Department lawyers said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acted within its authorized authority this month when it renewed the moratorium to January 3 after it had lapsed at the end of July.
Groups representing landlords have sought to lift the moratorium, pointing out that even Biden Administration officials conceded it may not be lawful.
The CDC first issued an eviction moratorium in September 2020, when agency officials said the policy was needed to stop the spread of COVID - 19 and combat homelessness during the pandemic.
Realtor groups in Alabama and Georgia were among those challenging the moratorium.
Under heavy political pressure from Biden's fellow Democrats, his administration issued a slightly narrower eviction moratorium on Aug. 3, three days after the prior one had expired. He originally said that congressional action was needed to renew the moratorium, but his administration reversed course.
The current moratorium, due to expire in October, covers nearly 92% of U.S. counties, but could change based on COVID - 19 conditions.