Post-Cordray vote reminder: Obama can make a recess appointment
As predicted, the Senate GOP today blocked the confirmation of Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Republican lawmakers just don’t seem to understand how angry people are about how powerful Big Banks have run roughshod over them. You would think that lawmakers would be rushing to confirm Cordray so that the bureau could start to fully function – meaning that it could help stop the predatory practices of major institutions. Instead, the GOP would rather kill the new bureau altogether.
Here’s what Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, said after the vote:
In blocking confirmation of Richard Cordray – universally considered qualified for the job – to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Republican caucus in the Senate today sent a clear message: They stand with Wall Street donors rather than American consumers. Now In blocking confirmation of Richard Cordray – universally considered qualified for the job – to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Republican caucus in the Senate today sent a clear message: They stand with Wall Street donors rather than American consumers. Now it is time for President Barack Obama to end the needlessly drawn out process of installing a leader for the CFPB by making Cordray head of the agency through a recess appointment.
Perhaps you have heard that the Republicans can block a recess appointment simply by staying in session. Not so, says David Arkush, director of Public Citizen’s Congress Watch in this Huffington Post piece. He analyzed the Constitution and concluded that:
If the Senate wants to adjourn and the House won’t permit it, the President can adjourn both houses of Congress.
Mr. President? Ball’s in your court.