Maxine Waters

Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee are expected to shine a spotlight on Trump-appointed regulators, but that light might shine brightest on one agency in particular.

The Democrat, who will likely head the Financial Services Committee, has signaled she'll make expanded housing opportunities for lower-income consumers a top priority.

The midterm elections virtually eliminate the chance that progress will be made on financial services legislation.

The senior Democratic lawmaker said the CFPB chief and the Trump administration "are doing everything in their power to roll back consumer protections."

Maybe political winds or another downturn will spark housing finance reform. But 10 years after the conservatorships began, the companies are still in perpetual limbo.

The bill, which also exempts community banks from the trading ban named for former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker, would go a step further than the regulatory relief bill that passed the Senate.

Democratic lawmakers are objecting to acting CFPB Director Mick Mulvaney's decision to strip the fair-lending office of enforcement powers.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., would essentially reverse a court ruling that marketplace lenders say has blocked them from helping more consumers access credit.