House Committee Refuses to Allow CFPB Director to Appear

CFPB U.S. House

On April 22, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) sent letters to CFPB Director Richard Cordray and CFPB General Counsel Meredith Fuchs stating that the House Financial Services Committee cannot allow Director Cordray to testify on the CFPB’s semiannual report, as the Committee has in the past, because no nominee for CFPB Director has been confirmed. Citing the D.C. Circuit’s January 2013 decision in Noel Canning v. NLRB, which invalidated three presidential appointments to the NLRB, Mr. Hensarling asserted that “[a]bsent contrary guidance form the United States Supreme Court, Mr. Cordray does not meet the statutory requirements of a validly-serving Director” and the committee cannot legally accept testimony from him. Mr. Hensarling further indicated that the committee is not relinquishing its oversight role and expects the CFPB to make other employees and information available upon request. Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) sent a letter one day later to the Chairman, stating that she will use the rules of the committee to allow Director Cordray to testify if the Chairman does not reverse his position.