A New Kind of Policy Think Tank
by editor
For Immediate Release: January 4, 2012
Contact: Dale Butland, 614-783-5833
INNOVATION OHIO APPLAUDS CORDRAY APPOINTMENT
THINK TANK SAYS OHIOAN WILL BE STRONG WATCHDOG FOR CONSUMERS
ColumbusInnovation Ohio, a progressive think tank headquartered in Columbus, today lauded President Barack Obamas decision to use a recess appointment to make former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The Consumer Protection Bureau was created by Congress in the wake of the 2008 financial meltdown to protect ordinary Americans from Wall Street and abusive lending practices by banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders and others.
Cordrays nomination has been stalled in the Senate since July, with Republicans refusing to allow an up-or-down vote and threatening a filibuster unless Obama agreed to weaken the agency. Obamas nomination of Cordray occurred only after the Presidents original choice, Elizabeth Warren, drew fierce GOP opposition and another threatened filibuster.
Though all sides agree that Cordray is supremely qualified, Senate Republicans have refused to allow a vote on his confirmation because they dont think the Agency should exist in its present form. In addition to serving as Ohio Attorney General, Cordray was Ohio Solicitor General, clerked for two U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and built a solid reputation as a fierce but fair consumer champion.
Said Innovation Ohio President Janetta King:
Americas consumers need a watchdog, not more Republican obstructionism. Its beyond ridiculous that Rich Cordrays nomination has been held up for over 5 months because the GOP would rather protect banks and Wall Street than ordinary Americans. This game has gone on long enoughand if Senate Republicans wont act, then the President must. And every Ohio consumer will be better off because of what the President did today.
And before conservatives leap to criticize this appointment, lets remember two things. First, the agency they want to weaken was, in fact, lawfully and duly created by Congress itself. And second, President Obama has made a total of just 29 recess appointments. In comparison, the three most recent Republican PresidentsGeorge W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Ronald Reaganmade 171, 77, and 243, respectively.
The GOPs rampant obstructionism and government-by-filibuster is not only embarrassing, but is hurting the country. Theyve staged an unprecedented 136 filibusters in this Congress, and 139 in the last one. The Founding Fathers intended the Senate to act according to majority rule; they did not intend for nearly everything to require a Super Majority of 60 votes. Thats a prescription for gridlock, pure and simple.
The American people deserve better and if Republicans wont even allow a vote on Rich Cordrays nomination, then they have no grounds for complaint if the President does what must be done to keep the government functioning. Cordray understands finances, economics and fiscal realitiesand he combines it with a solid law enforcement background. The President could not have found a better candidate or made a wiser choice.
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