U.S. Rep. Cori Bush Camps Outside Capitol to Protest End of Eviction Moratorium

U.S. Representative Cori Bush camped outside the Capitol overnight to protest the end of the nationwide eviction moratorium put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'll be sleeping outside the Capitol tonight. We've still got work to do," wrote Bush, who was evicted three times and once lived in her car before the start of her political career.

More than six million Americans could face eviction on Sunday should Congress allow the current moratorium to expire. The Missouri Democrat, 45, protested Friday night into Saturday which she documented via Instagram.

In her first post, Bush called out several of her Democratic colleagues for going on vacation Friday as the House of Representatives adjourned for their August recess "rather than staying to vote to keep people in their homes."

Bush promoted H.R. 4791 — known as the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021 — numerous times to her Instagram story throughout her multi-day effort. The House bill proposed by California Democrat Maxine Waters would extend the eviction moratorium until the end of the 2021 calendar year.

As Bush noted, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously extended the moratorium from June 30 to July 31. The Supreme Court later ruled that it was up to Congress to make the decision moving forward.

"The least our Democratic-controlled government can do is extend protections for people at risk of becoming unhoused. Especially, ESPECIALLY when we already have an unhoused crisis in our country. We need action NOW," Bush stated.

Saturday morning, Bush reiterated her point in another Instagram post begging lawmakers — including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi — to return to Washington, D.C., to immediately address the issue.

To our 7 million neighbors who are facing eviction: we're here, and we aren't going anywhere.

We must extend the eviction moratorium by midnight. pic.twitter.com/tgdBpWmjc9

— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) July 31, 2021

[SOURCE: MSN]

Michelle Obama to lead weekly online story time series for kids during Covid-19 pandemic

Former first lady Michele Obama will be hosting a live-streamed story time session every week for children over the next month as schools across the country remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books and PBS KIDS announced on Friday that the former first lady will be reading some of her favorite children's books for the next four weeks, starting this coming Monday, as part of a collaborative effort with the organizations.

The four-week series, dubbed “Mondays with Michelle Obama” will feature Obama reading one book during a story session that will be streamed live at noon (ET) from the PBS KIDS’ Facebook page and YouTube channel as well as Penguin Random House’s Facebook page.

“As a little kid, I loved to read aloud,” she said in a statement on Friday. “And when I became a parent, I found such joy in sharing the magic of storytelling with my own children—and then later, as First Lady, with kids everywhere.”

“At this time when so many families are under so much stress, I’m excited to give kids a chance to practice their reading and hear some wonderful stories (and to give parents and caretakers a much-need,” she added.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Michelle Obama criticizes Wisconsin for hold primary during Covid-19 pandemic

Former First Lady Michelle Obama took to Twitter to criticize the state of Wisconsin for going ahead with its primary during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Obama tweeted:

Today, Wisconsin voters had to choose between making their voice heard and keeping themselves and their family safe. No American should ever have to make that choice.

We must do better to ensure voting is safe for all voters.