The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee voted 13-11 along strict party lines on September 17 to advance Brian Johnson’s nomination to become Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The vote took place during an Executive Session at which the Committee also considered several other presidential nominations and legislation reauthorizing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program. … Continue Reading
CFPB People
Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee to Vote Tomorrow on Brian Johnson’s Nomination to Become Director of the CFPB
By Alan S. Kaplinsky on
Posted in CFPB, CFPB People
The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee (Committee) has scheduled an Executive Session for Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 538. The agenda expressly includes:
- S. 4395, Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026
- Brian Johnson, to be Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- Abby Warren, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce
- Irving Dennis, to be CFO of HUD
- Jeffrey Ledbetter, to be Inspector General of HUD
The Committee states that the session will not be webcast.… Continue Reading
Reuters Reports on Internal CFPB Warning to Examiners: What Does It Mean for Supervision Under the Current Leadership?
Posted in CFPB People, CFPB Supervision
Reuters reported yesterday that an internal email sent by a senior Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) official warned examination staff to avoid making “inflammatory or newsworthy” comments during examinations and cautioned that doing so could result in “the most unpleasant manner” of repercussions. Although Reuters did not publish the complete email, the excerpts it quoted have already generated considerable attention and raise important questions about the Bureau’s evolving supervisory philosophy.… Continue Reading
Paoletta Becomes CFPB Acting Director
By Ballard CFS Group on
CFPB Deputy Director Mark Paoletta has become the Bureau’s Acting Director following the expiration of Russell Vought’s service as Acting Director on August 1. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, Vought could serve as Acting Director only for a limited period.
President Trump has nominated Brian Johnson to serve as the CFPB’s next Director, but the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs has not yet voted on his nomination.… Continue Reading
CFPB Deputy Director Mark Paoletta Delivers Sharp Rebuke of Chopra-Era Approach to Financial Literacy
On July 27, 2026, CFPB Deputy Director Mark Paoletta delivered remarks at a meeting of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission that left little doubt that the Bureau’s approach to financial education has undergone a dramatic philosophical shift under Acting Director Russell Vought. In his remarks, Paoletta sharply criticized former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra’s views on financial literacy while outlining the Bureau’s new priorities under the Trump Administration.… Continue Reading
Report: Russell Vought Expected to Remain at CFPB as Senior Adviser Pending Brian Johnson’s Confirmation
Posted in CFPB People, CFPB Supervision
According to a report by Eleanor Mueller of Semafor, Russell Vought is expected to remain at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in a senior adviser role after his service as Acting Director ends on August 1, continuing until Brian Johnson is confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as CFPB Director.… Continue Reading
CFPB Director nominee Brian Johnson won’t endorse eliminating the CFPB
By Ballard CFS Group on
Posted in CFPB, CFPB People
Testifying at his confirmation hearing, CFPB Director nominee Brian Johnson declined to endorse efforts to eliminate the agency.
Appearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Johnson said, “That is not my intention. The CFPB is a creature of statute.” He added, “My intention is to execute the law.”… Continue Reading
Vought tells Congress CFPB needs major changes, even abolishment
By Ballard CFS Group on
During recent Congressional Hearings Acting CFPB Director Russell Vought, testifying for the first time in that capacity, stated that the Trump Administration has succeeded in improving the structure and operation of the CFPB, but more work needs to be done.
In fact, in testimony before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs he said he would prefer that the agency be abolished.… Continue Reading
CFPB and NTEU Jointly Seek, and Obtain, Stay of Litigation Over Bureau’s Proposed Reduction-in-Force Pending Confirmation of Brian Johnson
In a noteworthy development in the ongoing litigation challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to dramatically reduce the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s workforce, the CFPB and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) have jointly asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to temporarily stay proceedings concerning the Bureau’s proposed 2026 reduction-in-force (RIF) plan.… Continue Reading
House and Senate Committees to hold CFPB hearings
By Ballard CFS Group on
Posted in CFPB, CFPB People
House and Senate committees next week will hold hearings on the “The Semi-Annual Report of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.”
The hearings will mark the first time that Trump Administration CFPB officials will testify before Congress.
The House Financial Services Committee hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on July 15, while the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs hearing will be held at 10 a.m.… Continue Reading