防疫命令與法律解釋

Pandemic Prevention Order and Statutory Interpretation

新冠疫情在美國爆發後，美國政府發布防疫命令，規定房東在特定期間內，不得因房客未如期繳納房租而予以驅趕。美國政府認為，這項命令於法有據，但各級法院見解不一。有判決支持命令合法，有判決則認為命令違法。聯邦最高法院六位保守派的大法官認為命令逾越母法授權，三位自由派的大法官則相信命令合法。雙方運用不同的法律解釋方法，得出不同的結論，反映自由與保守的價值選擇。

To prevent further spread of Covid-19, the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued eviction moratorium orders in 2020 and 2021 (“the Orders”). Landlords under the Orders are temporarily halted from evicting tenants for failure to pay rent. Landlords bring various challenges to the authority of the CDC to issue the moratorium. Courts are split over the issue. Some decisions uphold the legality of the Orders. Others declare the Orders illegal. The Justices of the U. S. Supreme Court are also divided on the issue. The decision, supported by six conservative Justices, holds that the Orders exceed the Congress’ authorization. The decision, however, is met with a dissenting opinion filed by three liberal Justices. The division reflects the differences in the methods they use in interpreting statutes, and in the value the Justices hold.