Court rules that Trump Administration must fund CFPB

A federal judge ruled last week that the Trump administration must continue requesting funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, rejecting an effort to allow the agency’s budget to lapse.

The CFPB is distinct among federal agencies because it receives its funding directly from the Federal Reserve, based on requests submitted by the bureau’s director. But last year, acting Director Russell Vought announced a large-scale reduction in force and said he would not seek the bureau’s next appropriation. Without that request, the CFPB is expected to exhaust its remaining funds early this year.

The union representing CFPB employees has sued the administration, alleging officials are attempting to unlawfully shut down the agency by cutting off its funding.