New Poll Shows Voters Split on Limiting CFPB Power

A new survey by Morning Consult and Politico found that Americans are split on limiting the power of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). 22% of respondents felt limiting the CFPB was the right thing to do, while 23% believed restricting the federal financial watchdog would be wrong. When asked whether they supported the efforts of the CFPB, a majority of those polled strongly (25%) or somewhat (26%) supported the agency. Conversely, nearly half of the respondents had no opinion of the embattled consumer agency.

The poll also included questions on the achievements of President Trump, national security, climate change, and Congressional performance. Respondents generally felt the country was on the wrong track, disapproved of President Trump’s performance, and the passage of a health care reform bill should be Congress’s top priority.

Half of America’s apathy or lack of knowledge of the CFPB mirrors previous polls about the agency. A December 2016 poll shortly after the election found that 55% of Trump voters wanted the CFPB left alone or possibly expand its powers. Similar to the Morning Consult/Politico poll from this week, a previous survey by Americans for Financial Reform showed very few Americans, regardless of political affiliation, possessed an unfavorable opinion of the Bureau.