Press Release: AFJ Praises Recess Appointment of Richard Cordray and Urges End to Obstruction of All Presidential Nominees

Washington, D.C., January 4, 2012—Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron today issued the following statement on the decision by President Barack Obama to make a recess appointment of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau:

We are pleased that President Obama has invoked his constitutional powers to appoint Richard Cordray to the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau, a position critical to the implementation of vital reforms of the financial system and the protection of American consumers. The President’s action today should not have been necessary, but it was precipitated by months of unremitting obstruction of Mr. Cordray by Republican senators, and is symptomatic of the destructive breakdown of the confirmation process in the Senate.

The irresponsible and unprecedented delays in votes for executive branch and judicial nominees, all of whom are necessary for the efficient functioning of the government or the administration of justice, is rapidly precipitating a national crisis. There are, for example, 19 judicial nominees waiting on the Senate floor for final votes, almost all of whom have overwhelming bipartisan support. The fact that they cannot get a yes-or-no vote is a sign that crass political calculations have completely overwhelmed constitutional responsibilities and Senate traditions, and threaten to further undermine faith in our democratic institutions. For the good of the country, the practice of incessant obstruction and delay must end for all nominees immediately.

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Alliance for Justice is a national association of over 100 organizations, representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. AFJ works to ensure that the federal judiciary advances core constitutional values, preserves human rights and unfettered access to the courts, and adheres to the even-handed administration of justice for all Americans. It is the leading expert on the legal framework for nonprofit advocacy efforts, providing definitive information, resources, and technical assistance that encourages organizations and their funding partners to fully exercise their right to be active participants in the democratic process. AFJ is based in Washington, D.C.