Continuing the changing of the guard at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the former staff director of the House Financial Services Committee will step into the role of the bureau’s chief of staff.
What happened
With the resignation of former director Richard Cordray and the ensuing fracas over his successor still pending, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas)—a long-standing critic of the CFPB—announced an upcoming addition to the bureau.
Kirsten Sutton Mork will become the bureau’s chief of staff. Ms. Mork has spent the past four years as the deputy staff director of the House Financial Services Committee and as Rep. Hensarling’s legislative director and financial services policy adviser.
“As one of my longest-serving and most dedicated aides, Kirsten has been an indispensable advisor to me for the last nine years,” Rep. Hensarling said in a statement. “Her leadership, deep understanding of financial policy and the legislative process, strength of character, and commitment to conservative principles have been vital to the great victories the committee has achieved for the American people during her tenure here. While I am sad to lose such exceptional talent, I know she will do an outstanding job as Chief of Staff for the CFPB and be a tireless advocate for American consumers.”
The chief of staff position being filled by Mork was last held by Leandra English, who is currently contesting President Donald Trump’s appointment of Mick Mulvaney as acting director of the bureau after Cordray tapped English as deputy director before he stepped down.
In her new role, Mork will join another previous Rep. Hensarling aide. Brian Johnson recently joined the bureau as a senior adviser to Mark Mulvaney after spending time as senior counsel to the House Financial Services Committee.
To read Rep. Hensarling’s press release, click here.
Why it matters
The personnel change cements the shift in worldview taking place at top levels of the CFPB under the Trump administration. And with two longtime aides in senior positions at the bureau, the chatter that Rep. Hensarling may be tapped to lead the CFPB has only grown louder.