All CFPB employees, including examiners, will telecommute until April 3 in response to the coronavirus, potentially putting all rulemaking, supervision and enforcement activities at the bureau on hold.
Attorney Joann Needleman: “The takeaway appears to be that broad sweeping changes are not coming at least for the moment, and this decision will do little in settling long-standing concerns about the authority of the agency."
The Supreme Court justices hearing oral arguments in the CFPB constitutionality case appeared divided, which means any sweeping change to the consumer watchdog is unlikely, according to industry attorneys.
A panel in the Fifth Circuit Court ruled the CFPB’s leadership structure is constitutional. Interestingly, the circuit court last year said the structure of the FHFA — which is similar to the CFPB — is unconstitutional.
Senate Democrats during a hearing last week questioned CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger on the bureau’s plans to help out borrowers impacted by the coronavirus.