After months of opposition by Republican members of Congress against the appointment of Richard Cordray to serve as Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director, the Senate Banking Committee today voted, along party lines, to approve his nomination.
During a hearing considering Cordray for the CFPB director spot, the committee voted 12-10 in favor of moving the nomination along. Yet Republican members of the committee remained unconvinced that approving Cordray is the best course of action for the consumer watchdog, with unanimous opposition of the nomination.
“This issue with his confirmation is a broader debate,” said Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in comments before the committee. “The CFPB was established unlike any other government department or agency.”
The agency’s power and authority was called into question by a recent court case raising speculation regarding the constitutionality of Cordray’s appointment, made by recess appointment by President Obama. Without a confirmed director, the CFPB can only take certain actions, especially when it comes to oversight of non-bank financial organizations.
Through the committee vote, the nomination will go to a vote of the full Senate.
Written by Elizabeth Ecker
