Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/20pdf/21a23_ap6c.pdf
Page Number: 8.0

8 

ALABAMA ASSN. OF REALTORS v. DEPARTMENT 
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVS. 
Per Curiam 

original  end  date  to  ensure  the  orderly  administration  of
those programs has since diminished.  And Congress was
on notice that a further extension would almost surely re-
quire  new  legislation,  yet  it  failed  to  act  in  the  several 
weeks leading up to the moratorium’s expiration. 

It is indisputable that the public has a strong interest in 
combating the spread of the COVID–19 Delta variant.  But 
our system does not permit agencies to act unlawfully even 
in pursuit of desirable ends.  Cf. Youngstown Sheet & Tube 
Co. v. Sawyer, 343 U. S. 579, 582, 585–586 (1952) (conclud-
ing that even the Government’s belief that its action “was 
necessary to avert a national catastrophe” could not over-
come a lack of congressional authorization).  It is up to Con-
gress,  not  the  CDC,  to  decide  whether  the  public  interest
merits further action here. 

* 

* 
If a federally imposed eviction moratorium is to continue,
Congress must specifically authorize it.  The application to
vacate stay presented to THE CHIEF JUSTICE and by him re-
ferred to the Court is granted.

* 

So ordered.