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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWarren, Brown, Reed demand majority vote on Cordray nomination
by Joan McCarter
President Obama has renominated Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a nomination that Republicans again have vowed to block not because they have a problem with Cordray, but because they have a problem with the law the created the agency. They refuse to follow the normal legislative process for changing that law, so they're blowing up the Senate, instead. In return, Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) held a press conference Wednesday, demanding a majority vote for Cordray.
Every year, hard-working American families lose millions of dollars to deceptive financial practices like hidden fees and predatory lending. The CFPB is there to help keep families from getting scammed. They are shining a spotlight on predatory loan practices and productsbringing them into the light, where they can be seen and stopped. We must not let opponents of Wall Street reform turn back the clock on consumer protection. <...> said Senator Reed.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau stands up for average Americans, Senator Brown said. And yet, Wall Street special interests and their allies in Congress have repeatedly refused to approve anyone to serve as the Director unless the agencys authority is watered down. The American people are fed up with the obstructionism in Washington. We need to protect this agency that protects American families.
Under the leadership of Director Cordray, the CFPB has been making a real difference for hard working families everywhere. After two years, it is time for the Senate to give Rich Cordray a voteup or downand remove the uncertainty that is costly to families, to community banks and credit unions, and to everyone in financial services. said Senator Warren. Political stalemates dont end in more government or less government, but in bad governmentgovernment that lacks the clarity and predictability that our businesses need to plan for the future, to serve their customers, and to create jobs.
This comes with an announcement Wednesday from the CFPB that they were taking further efforts to work with financial institutions to make sure new mortage regulations are "understood, applied, and carried out evenly and effectively." That's what Republicans, on behalf of Wall Street, are fighting. They don't think consumers deserve an even playing field, particularly if it's going to eat into profits for the big banks. That's why they are stretching even their own limits of obstruction.
This is precisely the kind of action the filibuster reform agreement was supposed to put an end to. Senate Republicans are thumbing their noses at that agreement, at Harry Reid, and at the institution. The obvious response is for Reid to use his power to change the rules mid-session. Please sign our petition to Harry Reid, urging him to act on real filibuster reform.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/13/1186931/-Warren-Brown-Reed-demand-majority-vote-on-Cordray-nomination
At this point, Republicans are simply being absurd clowns. They have no plan except to keep the government from functioning.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,678 posts)They must not be allowed to derail these measures!
K&R
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)They swear.
Mass
(27,315 posts)Allen seems to be hesitating to become NATO commander as he has to be confirmed in front of this madhouse that is the Armed Forces Committee, and Cordray is in trouble too, as Brennan and Lew may be (Cornyn brought Benghazi to the hearings this morning. Really relevant for a Secretary of Treasury).
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)won't be "Hageled" at the hearings.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Wonder what Reid is going to do about this? He and the other Democrats opposed to filibuster reform enabled these assholes.
msongs
(67,433 posts)robinlynne
(15,481 posts)jeff47
(26,549 posts)Rule changes mid-session require a 2/3rd majority. Aka 67 votes.
Not. gonna. happen.
Reid blew it by relying on yet another "handshake agreement" at the beginning of the session. He needs to be thrown out of his position as Majority leader.
(And Reid apologists, I'm not talking about the 'talking filibuster' that only had 47 votes. I'm talking about the other reforms that had more than 50 votes)
chuckstevens
(1,201 posts)OR WHAT? You had the chance to stop all of this crazy obstructionism and you choked. I can barely look at you, let alone take you seriously. COWARD!!!!!!!
daybranch
(1,309 posts)Wouldn't Sherrod Brown and Elizabeth Warren be the best progressive duo possible for the 2016 Presidential election? If we get busy, to stop the Gerrymandering this year, and therefore elect more dems to the House, creating the ability for Obama to get things done in in 2015 and 2016 to really improve our country and the political landscape, the country will be ripe for Progressives like Brown and Warren.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)...otherwise, what good does it do? I don't know how Harry Reid can stand up and look in a camera lens and whine. Or how he can look at any Senate Democrat in the eye. I have no respect for Harry Reid anymore. And I feel so sorry for Sens Warren and Brown. Two wonderful Senators who would love to get something done, but can't because Harry didn't do what he had promised to do for so long. He gave everyone false hope for so long and then went back on his word.
Cha
(297,497 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)Of course, if Republicans had any decency, this wouldn't be absolutely critical.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)Reed, Brown, Warren Demand an Up or Down Vote on CFPB Director
Senators say efforts to prevent a vote on CFPB Director imperils consumers and undermines our economy
WASHINGTON, DC In an effort to protect consumers and crack down on financial fraud and abuse, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today called on Republicans to end unprecedented obstruction and allow an up or down vote on Richard Cordrays nomination to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Reed, Brown, and Warren, who are members of the Banking Committee, said that confirming a CFPB director will help consumers and strengthen our financial marketplace.
Congress created the CFPB in 2010 to help ensure the financial products and services that Americans depend on every day including credit cards, mortgages, and loanswork better for the people who use them. But in an effort to limit the effectiveness of the consumer watchdog, a sufficient number of Senate Republicans have stalled the confirmation of the CFPBs director, former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray. Earlier this month, 43 Republican Senators sent a letter protesting the CFPBs independence and vowing to oppose any nominee to lead the consumer protection agency.
Every year, hard-working American families lose millions of dollars to deceptive financial practices like hidden fees and predatory lending. The CFPB is there to help keep families from getting scammed. They are shining a spotlight on predatory loan practices and products -- bringing them into the light, where they can be seen and stopped. We must not let opponents of Wall Street reform turn back the clock on consumer protection. Instead of preventing the CFPB from doing its job, opponents of the agency should take an up or down vote. A well-regulated marketplace is good for the economy. It improves consumer and business confidence and ensures fair competition, said Senator Reed.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau stands up for average Americans, Senator Brown said. And yet, Wall Street special interests and their allies in Congress have repeatedly refused to approve anyone to serve as the Director unless the agencys authority is watered down. The American people are fed up with the obstructionism in Washington. We need to protect this agency that protects American families.
Under the leadership of Director Cordray, the CFPB has been making a real difference for hard working families everywhere. After two years, it is time for the Senate to give Rich Cordray a vote--up or down--and remove the uncertainty that is costly to families, to community banks and credit unions, and to everyone in financial services. said Senator Warren. Political stalemates dont end in more government or less government, but in bad government - government that lacks the clarity and predictability that our businesses need to plan for the future, to serve their customers, and to create jobs.
Since the CFPB opened for business in 2011, it has helped hold financial institutions accountable for mistreating consumers and worked in coordination with our federal regulators to return roughly $425 million to consumers pockets. The agencys Consumer Response center has already heard from more than 100,000 consumers with their individual problems related to their credit cards, mortgages, student loans, and bank accounts.
http://www.warren.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=339671
Berlum
(7,044 posts)and crapping all over the American people. As usual.
And they wonder why no one respects them.