ashington (CNN)The recent expiration of the federal eviction moratorium for renters

has led to internal strife inside the Democratic Party, as progressive lawmakers
argue President Joe Biden should do more to extend the moratorium, despite his
demands for congressional action.

Last week, Biden called on Congress to extend the moratorium and while House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi worked to quickly pass such legislation those efforts
ultimately failed before the House adjourned Friday for the August recess.
House leadership, including Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip
James Clyburn, released a statement Sunday "calling upon the Biden Administration
to extend the eviction moratorium through October 18, 2021."
On Monday, attention turned to a group of lawmakers who camped out on the steps of
the US Capitol over the weekend, demanding that the moratorium be extended. On the
day it was set to expire, a group of eight lawmakers including Reps. Cori Bush --
who slept on the Capitol steps Sunday night, demanding congressional action --
Ayanna Pressley and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote a letter demanding action from
Biden, calling it "a matter of life and death."
The problem is that it's unclear whether the White House has the legal authority to
act on its own. And, in fact, the White House has indicated that it doesn't, saying
it has been unable to find a legal option for the federal government to extend the
moratorium.
Facts First: On June 29 the Supreme Court allowed the eviction moratorium to stay
in place until July 31, with the deciding vote coming from Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Kavanaugh wrote that because the moratorium was set to end in a few weeks it could
be allowed to remain but that if it were to be extended further it would require
"clear and specific congressional authorization."