Current and former lawmakers want Cordray’s chosen successor to lead the bureau
Despite a recent major setback in court, Democrats are not backing down against the Trump administration’s move to install Mick Mulvaney as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
The fight boils down to a succession dispute. Before stepping down, former CFPB head Richard Cordray appointed Leandra English as deputy director to ensure a “smooth transition.” The Trump administration disagreed with the move and instead appointed Mick Mulvaney as acting CFPB director.
English asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order against the administration’s move, but a judge recently sided with the Trump and upheld Mulvaney’s appointment.
“This is just the beginning of what will likely be a long legal battle. While the temporary restraining order has been denied, the merits of the case have yet to be decided,” said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee.
Waters and 25 other current and former members of Congress have filed an amicus brief with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that English should serve as acting director until a director is confirmed by the Senate.
“The Dodd-Frank statute is clear that the deputy director of the Consumer Bureau shall serve as acting director in the absence or unavailability of the director. Leandra English, the Consumer Bureau’s deputy director, is the lawful acting director, and she should be allowed to serve in that capacity until a director is confirmed by the Senate,” Waters said.
Mulvaney has been a harsh critic of the CFPB. Waters described him as an “unacceptable candidate,” as he was also the original cosponsor of a bill to completely eliminate the bureau.
Related stories:
Legal dispute brewing over CFPB leadership
Richard Cordray’s last act as CFPB head
The fight boils down to a succession dispute. Before stepping down, former CFPB head Richard Cordray appointed Leandra English as deputy director to ensure a “smooth transition.” The Trump administration disagreed with the move and instead appointed Mick Mulvaney as acting CFPB director.
English asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order against the administration’s move, but a judge recently sided with the Trump and upheld Mulvaney’s appointment.
“This is just the beginning of what will likely be a long legal battle. While the temporary restraining order has been denied, the merits of the case have yet to be decided,” said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee.
Waters and 25 other current and former members of Congress have filed an amicus brief with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that English should serve as acting director until a director is confirmed by the Senate.
“The Dodd-Frank statute is clear that the deputy director of the Consumer Bureau shall serve as acting director in the absence or unavailability of the director. Leandra English, the Consumer Bureau’s deputy director, is the lawful acting director, and she should be allowed to serve in that capacity until a director is confirmed by the Senate,” Waters said.
Mulvaney has been a harsh critic of the CFPB. Waters described him as an “unacceptable candidate,” as he was also the original cosponsor of a bill to completely eliminate the bureau.
Related stories:
Legal dispute brewing over CFPB leadership
Richard Cordray’s last act as CFPB head
