Millions of Americans face could find themselves homeless starting Sunday as a nationwide ban on evictions expires, against a backdrop of surging coronavirus cases and political fingerpointing, AFP reports.

With billions in government funds meant to help renters still untapped, US President Joe Biden this week urged Congress to extend the 11-month-old moratorium, after a recent Supreme Court ruling meant the White House could not do so.

But Republicans balked at Democratic efforts to extend the eviction ban through mid October, and the House of Representatives adjourned for its summer vacation without renewing it.

Several left-wing Democrats spent the night outside the Capitol in protest — calling out their colleagues over the failure to act.