Calling Kraninger’s Bluff on Release of Documents
Consumer Advocates File Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests Seeking Documents Kraninger Refused to Turn Over to Senators
View the FOIA Requests Here (PDF)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, consumer advocacy group Allied Progress called Kathy Kraninger’s bluff, filing four Freedom of Information Act requests (FOIA) seeking documents that Trump’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) nominee claimed she did not have the authority release when Senate Democrats asked for them as part of the standard questions for the record (QFR) process for presidential nominees.
“First, she refused to answer questions about her record in private meetings with Senators. Then she refused to answer questions about her record during her confirmation hearing in the Senate Banking Committee. Now she’s even refusing to answer questions about her record posed by Senators in writing, repeatedly offering only a lame excuse about lacking the authority to provide documents that would shed light on her role in major a Trump administration policy blunder. Enough is enough. We are calling Kraninger’s bluff – if she won’t come clean with the American people, these Freedom of Information Act requests will do it for her,” said Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress.
Following a Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing where Kraninger refused to answer basic questions about her record, Senators were given an opportunity to ask additional questions for the record (QFR) in writing. Senators asked Kraninger to provide communications between herself and officials at the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security that concerned her potential role in the Trump administration’s family separation immigration policy. The Senators also asked for OMB policy analysis and budgetary documents relating the policy. Kraninger refused these requests, claiming that the documents didn’t belong to her, and that she lacked the authority to release them if they existed.
Allied Progress has requested expedited processing of its four new public records requests because a confirmation vote may be re-scheduled at any time and it is critical that the public have access to these documents as soon as possible. Two weeks ago, the organization filed a FOIA lawsuit against OMB and CFPB after the agencies refused provide employment documentation, travel and reimbursement information, calendars, and a variety of electronic communications concerning Kraninger. The case is pending.
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