The Democratic leaders of the US Senate and House of Representatives have publicly called on the Biden administration to extend the eviction moratorium, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to act immediately. However, the Biden administration has thus far declined to extend the moratorium, citing court rulings that suggest the CDC does not have the legal authority to do so. Moreover, the White House’s failure to extend the moratorium has caused rifts in the Democratic Party, with some progressives voicing disappointment in the administration’s handling of the issue. The fact that the moratorium has expired will likely have a significant impact on the roughly 11 million renters across the United States who are behind on their payments.
Many analysts believe that this political turmoil will increase the pressure on Congress and the White House to secure a massive infrastructure package. The Democrats’ proposed infrastructure bill includes significant investments in healthcare, education, and climate change mitigation, among other things. However, Republicans have pushed back against the proposal, arguing that it would be too expensive and that it includes too many provisions that are outside the scope of traditional infrastructure investments. Meanwhile, some Congressional Democrats have also expressed reservations about the infrastructure bill, worrying that it won’t be enough to address the urgent economic needs facing many Americans.
Despite the partisan divide, there is broad agreement that the country’s infrastructure needs are substantial, and that the federal government must take action to address them. According to a recent report from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the United States requires an investment of nearly $2.6 trillion over the next decade to fully repair and modernize its infrastructure. This figure includes investments in everything from roads, bridges, and airports to water treatment facilities, power grids, and broadband internet. With so much at stake, observers are watching carefully to see whether Democrats and Republicans can come together to pass a comprehensive infrastructure bill before the end of the year.
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