CFPB installs top staff, as Cordray fight rages on

The personnel moves come a day before a crucial set of votes on Cordray and other officials President Obama appointed to key administration posts. Republicans opposed Corday’s nomination, saying they would block his confirmation unless changes were made to the way the CFPB is funded.

President Obama used his executive authority to appoint Cordray to the post during what the administration viewed as a Senate recess, but Republicans view the action as a violation of the Constitution.

Republicans have suggested they would block Tuesday’s votes on Corfray and siz other nominees, prompting Reid to threaten the “nuclear option,” under which Democrats could use their majority to change Senate rules. Under the new rules, Democrats could vote to confirm the nominees with 51 votes, instead of the traditional 67. 


Republicans warn that the move would further poison the already difficult relationship between the two parties, and both sides are meeting Monday evening in search of a resolution.

In the meantime, the CFPB announced that Sartaj Alag, a former CFPB official, would serve as chief operating officer. Christopher D’Angelo, an agency attorney and senior advisor to Cordray, is promoted to the chief of staff position. 


Nora Dowd Eisenhower will serve as the new assistant director for the Office of Older Americans and Laurie Maggiano is joining the CFPB as the Program Manager for Servicing and Securitization Markets.

The CFPB was created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform law in response to the 2008 economic crisis.