[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 57 (Monday, March 23, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           INTRODUCTION OF THE RENTAL EVICTION MORATORIUM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JESUS G. ``CHUY'' GARCIA

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 23, 2020

  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Rental Eviction Moratorium Act along with my colleague, Barbara Lee.
  No one should lose their home because of this public health crisis. 
That's why I'm introducing this bill, which will prohibit the eviction 
of rental tenants for the duration of the COVID-19 public health 
emergency.
  This bill prohibits landlords from initiating eviction proceedings 
due to a tenants' failure to pay rent or other causes, and sunsets 6 
months after FEMA terminates the emergency declared by the President.
  More than a third of U.S. residents rent their homes, and that 
proportion is even higher in communities I represent in Chicago. As 
business closures, reduced hours and layoffs increase throughout the 
country, working class people, immigrants and people of color are 
hardest hit and many will miss rent payments. But when our public 
health officials are telling us all to stay home, this common-sense 
bill will ensure that more people can do so even as we enter into what 
may be a deep recession.
  I urge this body to advance this legislation.

                          ____________________