Federal Work

In addition to our state-level policy work in Annapolis, MCRC lobbies for consumer-friendly legislation in DC.
If you are interested in attending one of our upcoming federal lobby days, please let us know by email!

Consumer financial protection bureau (CFPB)

Since its founding, the CFPB has remained the only federal watchdog for consumers. MCRC works with Maryland legislators and partners to ensure that the Bureau is supported, relevant, and held accountable.

In the past, MCRC has worked to ensure a strong payday lending rule to protect low-income consumers from debt-trap loans. We’ve also submitted comments on debt collection and arbitration, and fought to ensure a consumer-focused Bureau when Director Kathy Kraninger took office.

Department of Education

Since taking office, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has made it very clear where her allegiances lie when it comes to protecting students from predatory for-profit schools – and they are not with students. In 2017, the Department of Education decided to re-open the Gainful Employment rule to be negotiated yet again by advocates and institutions of higher education.

The rule, finalized under the Obama administration, was intended to ensure that career schools and for-profit colleges could not enroll students in programs that would not lead to gainful employment.

One of MCRC's staff members – Jen Diamond, Communications and Program Manager – acted as an alternate negotiator on the committee, representing consumer interests. Read more about the 2017/2018 Gainful Employment negotiations by clicking here.

Sign on letters

One of the ways we stay engaged in federal work is by writing and signing onto comment letters that are delivered to legislators, regulators, and national advocates.

(Sometimes we call on the public and partner organizations to support these letters too! Click here to sign up for our mailing list to make sure you don’t miss an opportunity!)