Congressmen Cohen Urges Department of Justice to Appeal Sixth Circuit Ruling Ending Eviction Moratorium

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today released a statement after the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday refused to stay a Memphis District Court judge's order allowing the resumption of evictions:

"The national eviction moratorium is preventing extreme disruption in peoples' lives during an ongoing public health emergency, and must continue. The tenants being evicted in this case are my Memphis constituents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's eviction moratorium was designed to protect renters, neighbors, family and friends by allowing for the necessary physical distancing required to slow the COVID pandemic and save lives. This important public health measure must be honored. I urge the Department of Justice to appeal and use all the tools available to the Department to keep the eviction moratorium order in place. The health and lives of Memphians depend on it.

"For those who are facing eviction, the American Rescue Plan provides $27.5 billion for emergency rental assistance. The State of Tennessee will receive $383.4 million and Shelby County will receive an additional $8.6 million to be issued to eligible households. Applications for rental assistance can be filed with Memphis Housing and Community Development or the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

"Prior to evicting a tenant during the pandemic, I hope that landlords and tenants would work together to access the available rental assistance funds."