August 03, 2023

Congresswoman Bush Statement on Two-year Anniversary of Action on Capitol Steps to Successfully Extend Eviction Moratorium

Washington, D.C. (Aug 3, 2023)— Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) released the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the CDC extending a federal eviction moratorium after she led a five-day-long action on the steps of the U.S. Capitol:

“Two years ago, our actions helped save millions of renters from the threat of eviction. As a formerly unhoused Congresswoman, I knew that Congress going on vacation while countless families and low-income households were at risk of losing housing during a pandemic was a death sentence. We weren’t going to sit back and watch our communities suffer because of lawmakers’ apathy.

When the action began, it was only a handful of people and I sitting on the Capitol steps alone. Every day, our action grew bigger. Our House and Senate colleagues, advocates, supporters, and our unhoused neighbors joined us, and millions watched from afar and shared their support. We kept pushing and pushing to keep people housed. Over the course of four nights and five days, my team and I negotiated with the White House, Administration officials, and Congressional leadership and urged them to act. And on that fifth day, our movement prevailed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reinstated its federal eviction moratorium, and we also saw the fastest disbursement of emergency rental assistance funds since Congress had first allocated the money the year before to help make renters and landlords whole. We saved lives.


Our demonstration two years ago shows that our movement for housing justice is strong both inside and outside of the halls of Congress. When we fight, we win — and that’s exactly why we will keep fighting until safe, stable, and affordable housing is guaranteed for everyone.”

In August 2021, Congresswoman Bush led several of her fellow members of Congress in a 5-day demonstration on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to extend the federal eviction moratorium in the midst of a deadly pandemic.It received national attention and ultimately led to the CDC extending the eviction moratorium.In 2021, the combination of the eviction moratorium and emergency rental assistance programs, decreased evictions by 60%.


Throughout her tenure, Congresswoman Bush has remained a steadfast advocate for housing justice:

  •  Last week, Congresswoman Bush reintroducedthe Unhoused Bill of Rights which provides a plan to end the unhoused crisis by 2027 and achieve housing justice for all.
  • This Congress, she joined her fellow Co-Chairs to re-establish the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness—a caucus dedicated to educating members of Congress and their staff on the complex issues faced by unhoused persons. As Co-Chair, Congresswoman Bush led over 100 of her colleagues in a letter to the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee emphasizing the need for bold federal investments in affordable housing initiatives and homeless assistance programs in Fiscal Year 24.
  • In February this year, Congresswoman Bush joined Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) in sending letters to Greystar Real Estate and the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) to ensure renters’ rights are being protected during the tenant screening process.