Al Franken To President Obama: Give Elizabeth Warren A Recess Appointment To Lead The CFPB

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) urged President Obama Wednesday to grant Elizabeth Warren a recess appointment to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

In September, the President tapped Warren as the chief architect of the agency charged with protecting consumers from abusive lenders. Since that time, the former Harvard professor has been serving as Special Adviser to the Secretary of the Treasury while helping create the new consumer agency.

"Since the president appointed Elizabeth Warren to set up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau she has proven she can stand up to Wall Street," Franken wrote in a letter that will be circulated by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee on Wednesday. "Now, it's time for a permanent leader to be appointed and, because Republican senators have vowed to block anyone, it's up to President Obama to use his power constitutional power to bypass Republicans and make a recess appointment."

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) first suggested the possibility of a recess appointment after Senate Republicans promised earlier this month to block anyone the President nominates.

"It's the worst abuse of the confirmation process I've ever seen," said Frank, as The Hill reported. "What it clearly says is that the president will have to make a recess appointment."

PCCC has organized an open letter to Obama to appoint Warren. Signers so far include a mix of lawmakers, academics, economists, progressive activists and Wall Street figures.

"Republicans boxed themselves in with their ridiculous letter saying they wouldn't confirm anybody who is nominated," said PCCC co-founder Adam Green. "We're showing the president that the public will have his back if he makes the logical decision -- to give Elizabeth Warren a recess appointment."

Warren may be the person Republicans least want to see in charge of the CFPB. The outspoken and respected academic and advocate is credited as the intellectual founder of the agency, which she advocated for four years ago.

Earlier this month, Republicans blocked a bid to name Warren the head of the agency. A measure offered by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) to give the top job to the person "credited with coming up with the idea" for the CFPB, failed on a party-line vote.

On Tuesday, Warren went through a contentious hearing before the House Oversight subcommittee. She frequently had to correct Republican lawmakers who were trying to grill her, and at one point was called a liar by subcommittee chair Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.).

Support for a recess appointment for Warren has even come from a group that once called her "akin to the Antichrist." In a May 19 letter, the president and CEO of the Oklahoma Banker's Association wrote to Obama and encouraged him to name her to the top job.

Comments

[OldTulsan]

08:03 PM on 05/27/2011

The Senate isn't going to adjourn...

http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2011052126/gop-tries-shut-down-groundswell-warren
GOP Tries To Shut Down Groundswell For Warren | OurFuture.org

"Faced with a rapidly growing groundswell for Elizabeth Warren to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency, the Senate Republican leaders employed the ultimate obstruction on behalf of their Wall Street donors. It's up to us to make sure the public knows whose side they are on.

On Thursday, the Campaign for America's Future delivered 20,000 petition signatures to the White House, urging the President exercise his constitutional authority to appoint Warren during next week's Senate recess, circumventing the Senate GOP's stated intention to block any nominee to the post. A broader coalition effort, led by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and which includes CAF, has garnered more than 150,000 signatures.

Seeing momentum take off, Republicans have successfully prevented the Senate from officially adjourning next week. No recess. No recess appointment. The filibuster of any nominee to advocate for financial consumers continues..."

[Drew2U]

11:05 PM on 05/25/2011

I have a sneaking suspicion Mr. Obama has a trick up his sleeve regarding Ms. Warren. Watch for the recess.

[crazyhippiebiker]

09:50 PM on 05/25/2011

She is absolutely the best person for the job. I hope the pres does soon. The pubs will flip!

[omeo2013]

06:50 PM on 05/25/2011

Is there a petition I can sign to help make this happen or do I need to write my Senator? Oh wait; Senator Franken IS my senator. Nevermind, everyone; got it covered. Strong work, Al.

[Jenababy]

06:38 PM on 05/25/2011

Dr. Warren deserves our backing, and the right to be head of the CFPB. She has exhibited herself as a dedicated champion for American consumers. She's an intelligent, fair minded, gutsy lady, who has shown she can hold her own, against the big corporations, banks, and special interests. It's time to stop the endless Washington game playing, this lady deserves that office.

[hetrose]

05:57 PM on 05/25/2011

Yes, why on earth doesn't the man use More recess appointments? It is time to get the job done and stop thinking he can have meaningful or aceeptable bi-partisan cooperation with the Republicans! How long are will he allow all the unfilled positions to sit empty?

It would be helpful if the Republican loses in the Congress would keep on and turn into a Tsunami in 2012, so...

Vote Progressive!

[jtenn]

06:27 PM on 06/06/2011

AMEN! Can't wait. Best part or part of the best part will be the shocked look on there collective faces at loosing their lied for gains in this past election!

[SteveSFM]

05:31 PM on 05/25/2011

Al's right. Stop the lies and misogyny and get her in!

[johnpw41042]

05:29 PM on 05/25/2011

I have been reading through a good part of the comments regarding Ms Warren. I am very much surprised that the Rabid Right has not spread any of their hate as of yet.

[janibowe]

04:55 PM on 05/25/2011

Do it. I'm sick and tired of the GOP hemming and hawing and blocking everything they can because they think it's easier to play politics than to actually govern.

[choco1996]

04:42 PM on 05/25/2011

he should without a second thought....they hate her so much...she must be the right person for the job..why are they so afraid..oh that's right they are not used to competence.....not cronyism

[Gaylord P Farqua]

03:39 PM on 05/25/2011

Since the GOP/Tea Party has promised to block anyone the President nominates then doing a recess appointment is his only alternative. It is truly amazing how scared these GOP/Tea Party "super patriots" are of Elizabeth. Maybe what unnerves them is a woman who is smarter than most of them and cannot be bought.

[anandblr]

03:29 PM on 05/25/2011

YESSS!!!!!

Mr. President, if you do this, I promise you (and I assume other progressives will as well) that I will do all I can so that you will not suffer politically for it in the least.

This is a WINNER for your base, and I'd wager a large fraction of independants. Repub obstructionism has gone TOO far.

[seeksthetruth]

03:23 PM on 05/25/2011

Support Elizabeth Warren:

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/franken_warren/?rc=tw1

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/maloneyletter/?r_by=21485-1238607-GsScqUx&rc=confemail

[gopgotnosoul]

11:24 PM on 05/25/2011

Thanks for posting the links. Have added my name and will encourage others to do so as well.

[Cipo]

03:13 PM on 05/25/2011

Surprised that Franken could take time away from voting for a Patriot Act extension to weigh in on this issue.

[warsaw]

04:22 PM on 05/25/2011

It's called multi-tasking. You can do it too.

[hobo62]

03:09 PM on 05/25/2011

I'm will you Al. I really like to see if his cajones are as big as hers.