As Republicans have stepped up their attempts to prevent Elizabeth Warren’s confirmation as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Democrats and progressives are building steam behind their call for President Obama to go around the GOP’s obstruction.
In the past week, the number of Democratic lawmakers who have signed a letter calling on Obama to use his recess appointment powers to install Warren at the head of the newly-created CFPB has more than doubled from the 36 who were on the list last week.
The formal announcement of the new number of signatories — which is expected to include some members of House Democratic leadership — will come at a Capitol Hill press conference on Thursday. Progressive groups are already calling the amped up recess appointment support a victory for their pro-Warren grassroots organizing efforts.
National progressive groups have rallied to Warren’s cause as Republicans have stepped up their public concerns about putting her in charge of the new oversight body. More than 250,000 signed an online petition calling on Democrats to support a recess appointment in the past week. The online push was launched by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and CREDO Action, two national left-leaning groups with large member lists.
Rep. Caroyln Maloney (D-NY), one of the authors of the House Democratic letter, said the progressive organizing efforts send a clear message to the White House: the public wants Warren at the head of the CFPB, no matter what the Republicans say.
“We’ve demonstrated that Elizabeth Warren is not only the best choice, but the people’s choice!” she said in a statement.
During this week’s Memorial Day break, Senate Republicans have blocked any chance of a Warren appointment by keeping the Senate from officially recessing. This is a similar tactic to the one Senate Democrats used to prevent President George W. Bush from making recess appointments in 2007.
Warren advocates say that despite the GOP maneuvering, Obama should heed the word of a growing cadre on Capitol Hill and formally appoint Warren to head the CFPB.
“Elizabeth Warren is the best qualified candidate to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,” said Stephanie Taylor, co-founder of PCCC, “and it’s time for President Obama to announce his intention to appoint her.”
