Progressives Ask Schumer to Pick Like-Minded Financial Watchdogs

Senate Democrats are being pushed by liberal groups to pick “strong progressive” nominees for openings at financial regulatory agencies, saying appointees must have a “demonstrated willingness to stand up to Wall Street” as the Trump administration relaxes bank rules.

The demands from a coalition of more than 30 organizations were outlined in a letter to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York, who by custom can pick Democrats to sit on federal commissions and boards. The progressive groups, including the AFL-CIO labor federation, Public Citizen and MoveOn Civic Action, are targeting slots that need to be filled at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.