US Senators Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, and Mazie Hirono, all part of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, banded together to urge President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk to restart operations of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The trio cited the dangerous impact the disbandment would have on service members and veterans.
In a letter provided to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, the three senators claimed that halting CFPB operations would not be helpful in Musk’s campaign to get rid of abuse and fraud. On the contrary, this action could make American citizens who volunteered to serve the country more vulnerable to financial scams.
The lawmakers stated that the CFPB has been instrumental in protecting service members and veterans from money-related fraud. They explained that the CFPB has helped recover $180 million since its creation. Dismantling the bureau does more harm than good to the military community. They criticized that the lack of the CFPB would leave more service members and veterans vulnerable to abuse and fraud.
The CFPB is the primary government entity that ensures businesses and individuals adhere to laws that protect service members and veterans, like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). President Trump stopped work at the CFPB on February 14, 2025. The SCRA remains effective despite the disbandment of the bureau.
Proving one’s active duty service is vital to getting SCRA benefits. SCRACVS can help service members obtain proof of military service and help businesses confirm if a person they’re conducting business with is eligible for SCRA rights. Sign up today at SCRAVS and verify the active duty status.