GOP blocks Obama's second consumer agency pick

Senate Republicans Thursday blocked President Obama’s second choice to lead a newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, prompting Obama to step up accusations that the GOP is obstructing a broader Democratic agenda aimed at helping and protecting the middle class.

Obama took to the podium in the White House briefing room shortly after the Senate fell seven votes short of the 60 needed to advance the nomination of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray. Every Republican except Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts voted to block the appointment of Cordray, who now runs the consumer agency’s enforcement division.