U.S. Reps. Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Tim Walz (D-MN) introduced legislation last week that creates the position of an independent Inspector General (IG) at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
The CFPB currently does not have an independent, Senate-confirmed Inspector General. Instead, the bureau shares an Inspector General with the Federal Reserve, an unconfirmed position appointed by the Federal Reserve Chairman.
The CFPB receives its funding from the Federal Reserve, rather than the appropriations process.
The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection-Inspector General Act would amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to establish an independent Inspector General for the CFPB. The position would be appointed by the President and then confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate.
“Federal agencies must be held accountable to the American people,” Stivers said. “This legislation will allow for increased oversight of an agency that has been given broad authority – and often overreaches that authority. It is important that we take the necessary steps to ensure the CFPB is able to fulfill its role in protecting consumers, while being held accountable.”
Currently, more than 30 federal departments or agencies have an independent Inspector General.
The bill was first introduced in 2015, but never made it out of committee.