Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, led key House Members in a letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Russell Vought, demanding answers regarding the agency’s compliance with the Trump Administration’s recent executive order directing federal agencies to dismantle all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and environmental justice offices, eliminate related positions, and terminate equity-focused federal grants and contracts. The letter also urges the CFPB to conduct a fair, timely and transparent review of the bargaining unit status for nine non-supervisory Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) employees whose duties remain consistent with bargaining unit eligibility.

The lawmakers also condemn the executive order as a blatant overreach of executive power that directly overrides provisions within the Dodd-Frank Act mandating certain diversity and inclusion efforts. They emphasize that Congress has mandated the establishment and maintenance of DEIA offices to ensure diverse and equitable representation within the federal workforce, and no executive action can legally overturn these statutory requirements.

“As the head of an independent agency, it is essential to recognize that these executive orders, while directive in nature, cannot override or amend laws enacted by Congress. An executive order is limited in scope and must be interpreted within the confines of existing statutory and constitutional obligations,” wrote the lawmakers.

As the letter states, federal agencies have clear legal obligations to maintain DEIA offices, which play a critical role in eliminating bias, expanding opportunities, and ensuring equitable access to success for all groups.

“Given the statutory mandates regarding diversity and inclusion, as it relates to federal workforce and contracting, I request that you provide a legal analysis justifying why compliance with these executive orders are necessary, if at all, in your agency’s case,” wrote the lawmakers. “…I also ask that you provide all documents and communications your agency has sent to or received from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) related to OMWI staff, including guidance, directives, or discussions concerning the status, roles, or potential reassignment of personnel within these offices. For agencies governed by Boards or Commissions, I ask that you indicate to what extent you have consulted with other Board Members or Commissioners in determining whether and how your agency is complying with section 342 of Dodd-Frank, as well as any other federal anti-discrimination laws.”

The lawmakers conclude by requesting a briefing from the CFPB on the status of its OMWI no later than February 27, 2025. They also call for a full report on the 2024 budget allocations for OMWI and Equal Employment Opportunity offices, as well as projected budgets for 2025. Additionally, they urge the CFPB to uphold their legal responsibilities, foster inclusive workplaces, and serve the public interest in a manner consistent with their mission and the principles of equity and fairness.

Full list of signers: Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), Congressman Al Green (D-TX), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Congressman Cleo Fields (D-LA), Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI).

See the letter here.

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