GOP senators vow to block consumer office nominee

(AP) Senate Republicans say they will oppose President Barack Obama's nominee to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, unless the office created after the 2008 financial meltdown is significantly changed.

Obama has renominated current director Richard Cordray, who was named in a recess appointment last year.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and 42 other GOP senators sent a letter Friday to Obama saying the consumer office has little accountability to Congress and wields too much regulatory authority.

Cordray's recess appointment is under court challenge. Obama appointed Cordray last year, on the same day he placed three members on the National Labor Relations Board whose appointments were ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court. A ruling on Cordray is pending.