Newsroom

March 18, 2014

Hensarling calls for open CFPB meetings

March 19, 2014 – In a video message and letter, House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, asked CFPB to take advantage of "Sunshine Week" to make its four advisory council meetings open to the public and journalists.

"Instead of operating behind closed doors, it's time for the CFPB to live up to its oft-stated commitment to transparency and openness," Hensarling said. "In the interest of true, genuine transparency and open government, Director Cordray can and should use ‘Sunshine Week' to take immediate steps that bring the CFPB into the sunlight."

Sunshine Week is an initiative from the American Society of News Editors to promote open government.

Four advisory groups under the CFPB conduct most of their business in closed meetings – the Community Bank Advisory Council, the Credit Union Advisory council, the Academic Research Council, and the Consumer Advisory Board.

Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis. – also a member of the committee – introduced a bill, H.R. 4262, in advance of this week's recess to apply the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act to CFPB. The law requires open meetings and public involvement to be allowed in government agencies.