Columbus Dispatch...
Cordray held hostage, White House charges  
November 7, 2011 

A White House official today charges that the nomination of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to head a new federal consumer agency is “being held hostage’’ by 44 Senate Republicans, including Rob Portman of Ohio. 

“Richard Cordray’s nomination is being held hostage by these 44 senators,’’ White House aide Stephanie Cutter told reporters in a conference call. “As the president has said, Congress needs to act now to confirm Richard Cordray.’’ 

Portman and 43 other Republican senators have vowed to block any nominee for director unless the White House agrees to modify the powers of the new agency. Republicans want the director to be replaced by a five-member board and they insist that Congress approve the agency’s annual budget. 

When asked if President Barack Obama would resort to a recess appointment to bypass the Senate, Cutter replied, “We’re not talking about anything like that now. We’re going to continue to push to get him confirmed by the United States Senate.’’ 

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