January 4, 2012 – 11:02 am | Comments Off

Consumers won today when President Obama defied Wall Street interests to make a recess appointment of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. President Obama stood with consumers and families in making this crucial decision.

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AFR in the News: Senators cite MF Global as Volcker rule rationale
November 11, 2011 – 3:18 am

Senators cite MF Global as Volcker rule rationale – Ronald D. Orol (MarketWatch)

“Two senators on Wednesday urged approval of regulations to adopt key provisions in the Volcker rule, arguing that the recent failure of MF Global illustrates why it should be approved. …during a gathering organized by Americans for Financial Reform, a progressive-leaning group.” Click here for more.

AFR in the News: Volcker Rule Conflict Provisions Not ‘Tough Enough,’ Levin Says
November 11, 2011 – 3:16 am

Volcker Rule Conflict Provisions Not ‘Tough Enough,’ Levin Says – Phil Mattingly (Bloomberg)

“Volcker rule language aimed at limiting conflicts of interest between U.S. banks and their clients is ‘not nearly tough enough,’ Senator Carl Levin said. Levin, a Michigan Democrat who helped draft the Dodd-Frank Act ban on proprietary trading for deposit-taking banks, said today…at an Americans for Financial Reform conference in Washington.”

AFR in the News: How lobbyists make government regulations more burdensome
November 11, 2011 – 3:14 am

How lobbyists make government regulations more burdensome – Suzy Khimm (Washington Post)

“One of the chief complaints you hear about Obama’s Wall Street reform law is that it imposes hugely complex, burdensome regulations on businesses. But why did that happen? It’s partly because industry lobbyists have pushed so hard to carve out exemptions in the law. That’s what happened with the Volcker Rule…The rule originally started out a 10-page provision that has ballooned to nearly 300 pages with scores of exemptions in place, as some supporters of the reform pointed out at an event on Wednesday. …at the gathering, sponsored by Americans for Financial Reform.”

AFR Letter: Hold Wall Street Accountable – Reject S. 1720
November 10, 2011 – 12:17 pm

AFR sent a letter to the Senate opposing S. 1720, which would give big business veto power over any effective regulation.

AFR Conference: Making the Volcker Rule Work
November 9, 2011 – 2:11 pm

Making the Volcker Rule Work 
Wednesday, November 9th,  9:30 to 1:00
Location – Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902
Presented By: Americans for Financial Reform
 Volcker Rule Conference Agenda
9:30 – 10:00: Keynote Addresses
 Introduction by AFR Executive Director Lisa …

AFR Signs on to Letter: Fully Fund the CFTC
November 9, 2011 – 10:58 am

AFR signed onto a letter with other business, consumer, and labor groups supporting full funding for the CFTC.