Supreme Court Votes 7–2 to Uphold Controversial Funding Structure for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Critics argued that it was unconstitutional for the CFPB to be funded by the Federal Reserve, instead of directly through congressional appropriations.

The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on May 15, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

The Supreme Court on May 16 rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the unusual means Congress uses to fund the powerful Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by a vote of 7–2.

Some had speculated that the court’s conservative majority would use the opportunity to continue its campaign to restrain the so-called administrative state by curtailing the authority of regulators. Critics call the administrative state, which empowers unelected bureaucrats, an illegitimate fourth branch of government.