by Jeff Sovern
For years, Republicans have complained that they felt frustrated by the CFPB. During her confirmation hearing today, Kraninger got revenge on their behalf on Democrats by refusing to answer their questions. Here is an excerpt from Renae Merle's story in WaPo:
Kathy Kraninger, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, repeatedly dodged questions from Senate Democrats on Thursday about issues facing the watchdog agency and her involvement in the administration’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy.
Kraninger, a White House budget official, emerged largely unscathed from the more than two-hour hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, during which she told lawmakers that the bureau would be “fair and transparent” under her leadership.
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But Kraninger’s evasiveness in key areas appeared to exasperate Democratic lawmakers. “I am trying to get an answer from you. And I just can’t. And it’s maddening,” a visibly frustrated Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) repeatedly lashed out at Kraninger for giving “lawyerly and limited” answers. “You’re dodging,” Warren said.
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Once again, Kraninger found herself in a tussle with Warren, who at one point asked whether Kraninger thought the immigration policy was immoral. “It’s not appropriate to give my personal opinion," Kraninger responded.
Here is Kraninger's written testimony, in which she promised to be transparent and accountable to the American people. She's not off to a great start.
I wish the senators had asked her more questions about the substance of consumer law.
