WASHINGTON, D.C. - National civil rights groups are standing behind Leandra English, Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), as the lawful Acting Director of the Consumer Bureau. Acting Director English filed a federal lawsuit last night against the Trump Administration challenging the unlawful appointment of Mick Mulvaney as head of the CFPB.

The National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD), NAACP, National Urban League, UnidosUS, the National Fair Housing Alliance, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Center for Responsible Lending released the following joint statement:

Until there’s a permanent CFPB Director who’s been nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Leandra English is the Acting Director of the CFPB. The President’s decision to unlawfully appoint Mick Mulvaney as a part-time Acting Director is contrary to what’s written clearly in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Throughout its existence, and with the help of Acting Director English, the CFPB has significantly improved the lives of people across the country, especially in communities of color. The agency has been a vigilant enforcer of civil rights laws—fighting against discriminatory practices in the financial marketplace, including bringing enforcement actions to enforce fair lending laws that protect consumers of color from being charged more for a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card.

We need a champion who will maintain the level of commitment to consumers like the previous director did.  Mick Mulvaney, who has publicly maligned the CFPB and called for its elimination, is not that champion. The civil rights community hopes that the federal court takes quick action and recognizes Acting Director English as the lawful leader of the Bureau.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with a CRL spokesperson on this issue, please contact ricardo.quinto@responsiblelending.org.

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