Joe Valenti
@jvalenti.bsky.social
Consumer finance policy, long runs, civic education, and more. Views all my own.
Reposted by Joe Valenti
By redefining the word “earnings,” and ignoring the Supreme Court, Russ Vought gave himself the power to shutter the CFPB—just as consumer debt delinquencies reach record highs. From @ddayen.bsky.social: trib.al/DRppSXl
Russ Vought Tries to Bankrupt the CFPB - The American Prospect
A legal office in the White House, at the behest of Office of Management and Budget director and Project 2025 architect Russ Vought, has decided to redefine the word “earnings” in order to bankrupt the largely dormant Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
trib.al
November 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
By redefining the word “earnings,” and ignoring the Supreme Court, Russ Vought gave himself the power to shutter the CFPB—just as consumer debt delinquencies reach record highs. From @ddayen.bsky.social: trib.al/DRppSXl
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Everyone has enough money to order a private taxi for their burrito according to a report released by a company that arranges burrito taxis.
November 12, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Everyone has enough money to order a private taxi for their burrito according to a report released by a company that arranges burrito taxis.
Reposted by Joe Valenti
New post: CFPB Funding Sophistry from the Office of Legal Counsel https://creditslips.org/2025/11/10/cfpb-funding-sophistry-from-the-office-of-legal-counsel/
November 11, 2025 at 4:19 AM
New post: CFPB Funding Sophistry from the Office of Legal Counsel https://creditslips.org/2025/11/10/cfpb-funding-sophistry-from-the-office-of-legal-counsel/
Reposted by Joe Valenti
IRS officially saying Direct File is dead. This was clear from back in April when they told engineers to stop working on the project (and the leaders of that team have since left government). Here is what I wrote then.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-death-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-death-...
November 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM
IRS officially saying Direct File is dead. This was clear from back in April when they told engineers to stop working on the project (and the leaders of that team have since left government). Here is what I wrote then.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-death-...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-death-...
Funny how this (Hatch Act violation) nonsense is “essential,” but back in February, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees were locked out of the office and told to “perform no work task.”
According to Russ Vought, this is essential government work that must be continued throughout the shutdown
This is what the Department of Transportation is tweeting out today.
October 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Funny how this (Hatch Act violation) nonsense is “essential,” but back in February, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees were locked out of the office and told to “perform no work task.”
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Vermonters from Bennington to Derby Line and from Brattleboro to Swanton are shocked by the news of skyrocketing health care premiums.
October 18, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Vermonters from Bennington to Derby Line and from Brattleboro to Swanton are shocked by the news of skyrocketing health care premiums.
Thinking of former Treasury CDFI Fund colleagues after the administration’s attempt to eliminate the entire staff last night.
The Fund was my first federal job, supporting business and housing in distressed areas from Appalachia to the Bronx to Native American communities and everywhere inbetween.
The Fund was my first federal job, supporting business and housing in distressed areas from Appalachia to the Bronx to Native American communities and everywhere inbetween.
October 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Thinking of former Treasury CDFI Fund colleagues after the administration’s attempt to eliminate the entire staff last night.
The Fund was my first federal job, supporting business and housing in distressed areas from Appalachia to the Bronx to Native American communities and everywhere inbetween.
The Fund was my first federal job, supporting business and housing in distressed areas from Appalachia to the Bronx to Native American communities and everywhere inbetween.
The drought is real, but still a beautiful day for the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon in Waterbury and Duxbury, Vermont!
And, still a flatlander in need of more hill workouts…
And, still a flatlander in need of more hill workouts…
October 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The drought is real, but still a beautiful day for the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon in Waterbury and Duxbury, Vermont!
And, still a flatlander in need of more hill workouts…
And, still a flatlander in need of more hill workouts…
Reposted by Joe Valenti
As of April the Georgia Medicaid work-requirement program had spent $54.2 million on administrative costs since 2021, compared to $26.1 million spent on health care costs, GAO says. Nearly 90% of administrative expenditures came from the federal budget. www.propublica.org/article/geor...
Georgia’s Medicaid Work Requirement Program Spent Twice as Much on Administrative Costs as on Health Care, GAO Says
Republican lawmakers cite Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage as a national model for federal Medicaid work requirements that are set to take effect in 2027. A new report shows the program has spent at lea...
www.propublica.org
September 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
As of April the Georgia Medicaid work-requirement program had spent $54.2 million on administrative costs since 2021, compared to $26.1 million spent on health care costs, GAO says. Nearly 90% of administrative expenditures came from the federal budget. www.propublica.org/article/geor...
First time for me @highergroundmusic.bsky.social tonight!
@stevehofstetter.bsky.social and friends gave a fantastic comedy show…. A strong reminder to tip your bartenders, recognize the ridiculousness all around us, and find joy where you can.
@stevehofstetter.bsky.social and friends gave a fantastic comedy show…. A strong reminder to tip your bartenders, recognize the ridiculousness all around us, and find joy where you can.
September 6, 2025 at 3:22 AM
First time for me @highergroundmusic.bsky.social tonight!
@stevehofstetter.bsky.social and friends gave a fantastic comedy show…. A strong reminder to tip your bartenders, recognize the ridiculousness all around us, and find joy where you can.
@stevehofstetter.bsky.social and friends gave a fantastic comedy show…. A strong reminder to tip your bartenders, recognize the ridiculousness all around us, and find joy where you can.
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Shout out to all those people — mostly on the other site— who assured me that Trump would leave the Fed alone even as he destroyed the CFPB.
BREAKING: Donald Trump says Fed Governor Lisa Cook will be removed from her position effective immediately bloom.bg/4paKK3l
📷: Al Drago/Bloomberg
📷: Al Drago/Bloomberg
August 26, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Shout out to all those people — mostly on the other site— who assured me that Trump would leave the Fed alone even as he destroyed the CFPB.
I remember when Columbia proudly called itself the first independent university in America, cutting all ties to church and state after the Revolutionary War.
As an alum, it’s beyond embarrassing to see it sacrifice a legacy for a small temporary gain. Have to imagine Hamilton and Jay would agree.
As an alum, it’s beyond embarrassing to see it sacrifice a legacy for a small temporary gain. Have to imagine Hamilton and Jay would agree.
July 24, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I remember when Columbia proudly called itself the first independent university in America, cutting all ties to church and state after the Revolutionary War.
As an alum, it’s beyond embarrassing to see it sacrifice a legacy for a small temporary gain. Have to imagine Hamilton and Jay would agree.
As an alum, it’s beyond embarrassing to see it sacrifice a legacy for a small temporary gain. Have to imagine Hamilton and Jay would agree.
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Is this government efficiency? 🤡🥴🆘
Russ Vought bills CFPB $5M for his security detail
The expense comes as CFPB's budget is slashed nearly in half.
www.govexec.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Is this government efficiency? 🤡🥴🆘
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Russ Vought is simultaneously stopping CFPB from protecting American consumers from scams, while also charging it $5 million for his security team
www.govexec.com/management/2...
www.govexec.com/management/2...
Russ Vought bills CFPB $5M for his security detail
The expense comes as CFPB's budget is slashed nearly in half.
www.govexec.com
July 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Russ Vought is simultaneously stopping CFPB from protecting American consumers from scams, while also charging it $5 million for his security team
www.govexec.com/management/2...
www.govexec.com/management/2...
Reposted by Joe Valenti
"They falsely stated that I, a U.S. citizen, have no Constitutional rights at a point of entry, and officers became increasingly agitated as I continued to assert my rights regardless."
Winooski Superintendent Detained, Questioned by Border Officials
Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria, a U.S. citizen, was questioned for hours at a Houston airport as he returned from a visit to Nicaragua with his husband.
m.sevendaysvt.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:47 AM
"They falsely stated that I, a U.S. citizen, have no Constitutional rights at a point of entry, and officers became increasingly agitated as I continued to assert my rights regardless."
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Today we celebrate the CFPB's 14th birthday! 🎉
That's 1️⃣ 4️⃣ years of service to the public and 💲21B returned to everyday Americans - all brought to you by CFPB workers who CONTINUE the fight to #saveCFPB and #SaveOurServices.
That's 1️⃣ 4️⃣ years of service to the public and 💲21B returned to everyday Americans - all brought to you by CFPB workers who CONTINUE the fight to #saveCFPB and #SaveOurServices.
July 21, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Today we celebrate the CFPB's 14th birthday! 🎉
That's 1️⃣ 4️⃣ years of service to the public and 💲21B returned to everyday Americans - all brought to you by CFPB workers who CONTINUE the fight to #saveCFPB and #SaveOurServices.
That's 1️⃣ 4️⃣ years of service to the public and 💲21B returned to everyday Americans - all brought to you by CFPB workers who CONTINUE the fight to #saveCFPB and #SaveOurServices.
Robert Duvall and I got coffee at the same bakery in Virginia.
July 19, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Robert Duvall and I got coffee at the same bakery in Virginia.
Reposted by Joe Valenti
ICYMI: Here's video of Fed Gov Michael Barr drawing from history to caution his colleagues about loosening financial regulation too much -- and my interview with him after his remarks. Hutchins Center @brookings.edu www.youtube.com/live/ockfgPe...
Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr: Booms, busts, and financial regulation
YouTube video by Brookings Institution
www.youtube.com
July 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
ICYMI: Here's video of Fed Gov Michael Barr drawing from history to caution his colleagues about loosening financial regulation too much -- and my interview with him after his remarks. Hutchins Center @brookings.edu www.youtube.com/live/ockfgPe...
Reposted by Joe Valenti
This does nothing to help our Veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
apnews.com/article/navy...
apnews.com/article/navy...
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dismisses $95M overdraft case vs. Navy Federal Credit Union
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, led by President Trump’s administration, has dropped a case against Navy Federal Credit Union.
apnews.com
July 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM
This does nothing to help our Veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
apnews.com/article/navy...
apnews.com/article/navy...
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Almost all of us are the descendants of immigrants who fled persecution, or were brought to America under duress, or sought better lives for themselves and their descendants.
Politicians who stoke fear and hatred over immigration want you to forget this.
Do not.
Politicians who stoke fear and hatred over immigration want you to forget this.
Do not.
July 14, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Almost all of us are the descendants of immigrants who fled persecution, or were brought to America under duress, or sought better lives for themselves and their descendants.
Politicians who stoke fear and hatred over immigration want you to forget this.
Do not.
Politicians who stoke fear and hatred over immigration want you to forget this.
Do not.
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Rep. Maxine Waters: “I’m sounding the alarm about the risks of pending crypto legislation, which will open the floodgates to massive fraud and financial ruin for millions of American families.” www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | Rep. Maxine Waters: My colleagues are making a mistake on crypto
This week, the House will consider several crypto bills, including the so-called CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act.
www.msnbc.com
July 15, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Rep. Maxine Waters: “I’m sounding the alarm about the risks of pending crypto legislation, which will open the floodgates to massive fraud and financial ruin for millions of American families.” www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Reposted by Joe Valenti
"The issue of government has always been whether individual men and women will have to serve some system of government and economics, or whether a system of government and economics exists to serve individual men and women."
—FDR, 1932
—FDR, 1932
July 13, 2025 at 11:01 PM
"The issue of government has always been whether individual men and women will have to serve some system of government and economics, or whether a system of government and economics exists to serve individual men and women."
—FDR, 1932
—FDR, 1932
Reposted by Joe Valenti
cc: Every single university president
July 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
cc: Every single university president
Reposted by Joe Valenti
An actual scandal worth addressing in higher ed: colleges let predatory coding & tech bootcamps use their brand recognition to entice students into programs that are otherwise kind of worthless
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
Caltech Agrees to Settle Lawsuit Accusing It of Misleading Students
www.nytimes.com
July 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
An actual scandal worth addressing in higher ed: colleges let predatory coding & tech bootcamps use their brand recognition to entice students into programs that are otherwise kind of worthless
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
Reposted by Joe Valenti
Read the full speech "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass here:
loveman.sdsu.edu/docs/1852Fre...
18/18
loveman.sdsu.edu/docs/1852Fre...
18/18
July 4, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Read the full speech "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass here:
loveman.sdsu.edu/docs/1852Fre...
18/18
loveman.sdsu.edu/docs/1852Fre...
18/18