Tuesday, September 14, 2010

White House Considers Naming Warren 'Interim' CFPB Head: Source

WASHINGTON — The White House is considering appointing Elizabeth Warren as interim head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, bypassing a likely Senate confirmation battle, according to sources.


Under the Dodd-Frank regulatory reform law signed July 21, the Treasury Department has the power to appoint a temporary head of the new agency until a permanent one is nominated and confirmed.

By naming Warren interim head, the White House would sidestep — for now — a likely fight over her nomination. Obama can still choose to formally nominate Warren sometime next year, or select another candidate if she becomes too polarizing.

Read on.

Late update: White House denies plan to avoid Warren fight for CFPB head. Politico reports. Read on.

On a side note: A little-noticed provision of the Financial Reform bill  law's language would allow the Treasury Department to name an interim director of the CFPA until a permanent director is confirmed. We shall see if the Treasury Department will name the interim director of the CFPA.

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