WASHINGTON, D.C. – Center for Responsible Lending Executive Vice President Debbie Goldstein released the following the statement after it was reported that Mick Mulvaney, who was unlawfully appointed to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), announced his plan to dismantle the membership of the agency's Consumer Advisory Board (CAB).
This reckless decision to dismiss the members of the Consumer Advisory Board shows the level of disdain Mick Mulvaney has for consumer protection and it demonstrates his inability to lead both the CFPB and the Office of Management and Budget. The purpose of the board is to bring together external experts, industry representatives, community leaders, and advocates to discuss consumer protection issues, financial products and services, civil rights, and underserved communities. Mulvaney's tenure at the CFPB is harming consumers. We need a real consumer watchdog to lead the agency, not someone who is interested in stripping protections away from working families.
These abrupt terminations also arrive almost immediately at the deadline for public comments on a range of CFPB concerns. It seems doubtful that all of the comments submitted have been thoroughly reviewed so quickly. Mulvaney shouldn't make a mockery of the public comment process.
For more information or to arrange an interview with a CRL spokesperson, please contact Ricardo Quinto at Ricardo.Quinto@responsiblelending.org.