Sign in

Brendan Pedersen

@brendanpedersen.bsky.social
1.8K followers 718 following 56 posts

yelling about banks. I write a financial politics / policy newsletter focused on Congress called THE VAULT for Punchbowl News. American Banker alum.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
If you’re feeling déjà vu about the congressional housing policy news over the last 24 hours, you’re not alone. The question is whether this time around the carousel will drop us off in a different place. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social breaks down the latest: punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Vault: Can housing break out of the doom loop?
If you’re feeling déjà vu about the congressional housing policy news over the last 24 hours, you’re not alone.
152
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
VAULT: President Donald Trump’s call for the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act hasn’t knocked the House’s attempt to amend the Senate’s bill off track. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social has the latest on the housing push: punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Vault: House grinds on housing, Senate be damned
Trump’s call for the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act hasn’t knocked the House’s attempt to amend the Senate’s bill off track.
222
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
VAULT: Sen. Elizabeth Warren told SEC Chair Atkins she believed the regulator may have “deliberately” misled the Banking committee over the agency’s FY2025 enforcement figures, according to a letter sent on Thursday. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social got the letter: punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Vault: Warren thinks SEC chair misled Congress
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told SEC Chair Paul Atkins she believed the regulator may have “deliberately” misled the Senate Banking Committee.
1186
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
First in the VAULT: The Treasury Department has begun quietly asking private credit firms to submit information detailing their business models and ties to the regulated financial system. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social has the scoop: punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Vault: Treasury quietly asks private credit firms for data
Treasury has begun quietly asking private credit firms to submit information detailing their business models and ties to the regulated financial system.
012
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Rep. Maxine Waters knows you have questions about her age. Her health. Her ability to lead Financial Services if Dems take control of the chamber after the midterms — and she says bring it on. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social spoke with Waters about term limits and more: punchbowl.news/article/hous...
punchbowl.news
Go ahead! Waters wants the question
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) knows you have questions about her age. Her health. Her ability to lead the House Financial Services Committee.
4186
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Evan Weinberger @reporterev.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
I've had a trio of stories on goings on at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in the last day. Here's the latest: If you're a national bank and you have an outstanding MRA, there's a pretty good chance it's going away: news.bloomberglaw.com/banking-law/...
news.bloomberglaw.com
OCC Joins Fed Push to Trim Supervisory Red Flags Issued to Banks
The federal regulator overseeing national banks is reviewing confidential warnings it sent to lenders over operational deficiencies to ensure they align with the Trump administration’s focus on “mater...
112
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
VAULT: CFTC Chair Mike Selig all but declared war on state governments this week, announcing his federal agency would oppose efforts by state attorneys general to crack down on prediction markets. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social has the details: punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Vault: The great CFTC reversal on prediction markets
CFTC Chair Mike Selig all but declared war on state governments this week, announcing his federal agency would oppose efforts to crack down on prediction markets.
373
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Evan Weinberger @reporterev.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
I was checking around the CFPB a few weeks ago to see if the agency was still funding Vought's security. The folks I spoke with said it appeared that was no longer the case. And there you go. www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
reuters.com
Exclusive: White House uses USAID funds for budget director Vought's security, documents show
The White House budget office is using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's budget chief and an archit...
1107
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
THE VAULT: Once again, the “crypto Congress” is on the verge of collapse after the Senate Banking Committee punted a landmark crypto markup that was scheduled to happen this morning. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social has the latest: punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Vault: Banking punts major crypto markup
Once again, the “crypto Congress” is on the verge of collapse thanks to the U.S. Senate.
3125
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
NEWS in THE VAULT: A collection of tribal governments and other groups are mounting a year-end push for federal regulators and lawmakers to crack down on the “unregulated” prediction markets industry. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social has the details: punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Tribal advocates push for prediction market crackdown
A collection of tribal governments and other groups are mounting a push for regulators and lawmakers to crack down on the prediction markets industry.
084
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
News in THE VAULT: House Financial Services Chair French Hill pulled out of bipartisan NDAA talks that would’ve boosted the CDFI Fund — blindsiding the other three corners. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social has the details: punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Hill upends defense talks on CDFIs
Rep. French Hill walked away from another set of financial policy talks tied to the annual defense authorization package, according to multiple people familiar.
0111
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
THE VAULT: The penny was declared dead this week at the age of 232-years-old, courtesy of the Trump administration. Now it’s Capitol Hill’s turn to pick up the tab. Because the penny hasn’t gone quietly. More from @brendanpedersen.bsky.social — punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Painful penny politics
The penny was declared dead this week at the age of 232-years-old, courtesy of the Trump administration.
0122
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
News in THE VAULT: It’s fintech, crypto and retailers vs. the banks. Today’s the deadline for comments on the Biden-era open banking rules and a sweeping industry coalition is urging the CFPB not to narrow or water them down. More from @brendanpedersen.bsky.social — punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
It’s everybody versus the banks on financial data rights
The FTA has assembled a sweeping coalition of fintech, crypto and merchant groups to try to preserve the legal framework that undergirds “open banking.”
022
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
THE VAULT: Banks want Congress to reopen the GENIUS Act to clamp down on stablecoin “rewards.” But key senators say they’re not relitigating yields. For now, Washington’s siding with crypto. 📝: @brendanpedersen.bsky.social — punchbowl.news/article/vaul...
punchbowl.news
Key senators leery of stablecoin yield redux
The banking industry wants the Senate to re-open the GENIUS Act, imposing further limits on the yields paid out to consumers on their stablecoins.
152
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
It looks like President Donald Trump is going to get his way on crypto. House leaders are planning a hybrid approach to advancing crypto legislation after a week of hand-wringing and positioning. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with more: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
The House slouches toward crypto floor votes
The House will host a single procedural vote to advance the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act to the floor as soon as the week of July 7
043
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
There’s a bipartisan hunger in Congress for lower interest rates. As Republicans step up their attacks on Fed Chair Jay Powell, Democrats are pushing for rate cuts themselves. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with more: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Democrats want Powell to cut rates, too
There’s a bipartisan hunger in Congress for lower interest rates. As Republicans step up their attacks on Fed Chair Jay Powell, Democrats sound sympathetic.
211
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Competing visions of American digital asset policy will go head-to-head this week. One is headed by the president, the other led by a former banker from Arkansas. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with more: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
112
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
The Senate’s first-ever move to incorporate digital assets into the regulated financial system disintegrated on Thursday. The political landscape has changed with this failed vote — and not in crypto’s favor. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with more: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Three things we learned from crypto’s Senate flop
The Senate’s first-ever move to incorporate digital assets into the regulated financial system disintegrated on Thursday.
14013
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
From THE VAULT: The GOP’s tax bill hits prime time, Rep. Neal details House Dems’ strategy for the tax markup, the three things we learned from crypto’s Senate flop and more. Laura and @brendanpedersen.bsky.social in the Lookahead: punchbowl.news/archive/5112...
punchbowl.news
Subscribe to Punchbowl News Premium
051
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
More news via Punchbowl News' Texts: Democrats are planning to walk out of a joint hearing scheduled for tomorrow. House Ag and finserv plan to discuss changes to the market structure of crypto regulation. Democrats say House rules allow them to halt proceedings by denying UC
092
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Scoop: Thune told offices the Senate is moving full steam ahead on a floor vote of the GENIUS Act this week, despite opposition from a key bloc of Democrats. First in PBN texts. Republican leadership wants to call Democrats' bluff on stablecoins... if it is a bluff. May not be
082
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
From THE VAULT: The House GOP struggles to cut deals as the reconciliation clock races, crypto has a Senate Democrat problem and the latest Canvass poll on crypto reforms is in. Laura and @brendanpedersen.bsky.social in the Lookahead: punchbowl.news/archive/5425...
punchbowl.news
Subscribe to Punchbowl News Premium
151
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Some news in our AM edition: Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee conferenced last night to discuss their approach to reconciliation. On the chopping block: The CFPB, PCAOB and up to $5 billion in cuts, depending on CBO scoring
030
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
From THE VAULT: It’s tax writing time, the medical debt CRA deadline is looming, it’s one helluva time for a monetary policy task force, we share the latest on K Street and more. Laura and @brendanpedersen.bsky.social in the Lookahead: punchbowl.news/archive/4132...
punchbowl.news
Subscribe to Punchbowl News Premium
001
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
The Biden-era director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was fired in February. Two months later, Rohit Chopra may be on the verge of scoring a surprising political triumph in the Trump era. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with more: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Medical debt CRA deadline looms with problems ahead
One of Chopra’s last acts at the CFPB was finalizing a rule that eliminated medical debt from consumer credit reports.
064
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
From THE VAULT: Inside Republicans’ next moves to write the tax bill, the credit union lobby’s $12M Capitol Hill townhouse overhaul, this week’s hot tax topics on K Street and more. Laura and @brendanpedersen.bsky.social in this week's Lookahead: punchbowl.news/archive/3925...
punchbowl.news
Subscribe to Punchbowl News Premium
021
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
News: House Republicans have developed a new strategy for cutting the budget of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The approach is distinct from prior attempts, designed to work w/ reconciliation and could gut the CFPB budget while dodging the Senate filibuster. Read >>>
041
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Less than a week into the second Trump administration, the fight over the future of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is already here. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with more: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Knives are out for CFPB. This time will be different.
Less than a week into a second Trump administration, the fight over the future of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is already here.
0124
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott and House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill have a lot of preferences in common, but their styles as lawmakers are very different. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social details their approaches to down-dais leadership: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
One emerging style gap between Scott and Hill
Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott and HFSC Chair French Hill have a lot of preferences in common, but their styles as lawmakers are very different.
042
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Interesting group for folks tracking crypto influence in this Congress: - Bynum beat a Fairshake-backed GOP candidate in November, a rare defeat for crypto in '24 - Fields appears to have made no public statements re crypto - Liccardo is a crypto ally.
020
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
House Democrats are adding three members to their roster on the Financial Services Committee, according to two people familiar with the decision. Those members are Reps. Janelle Bynum (Ore.) Cleo Fields (La.) and Sam Liccardo (Calif.). Welcome, newbies!
020
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Good morning from the nation's capital
021
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
Forget about crypto for a second. The next chair of the House Financial Services Committee has been pushing for innovation in the banking sector for nearly half a century. More from @brendanpedersen.bsky.social in The Readback: punchbowl.news/archive/1221...
131
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Full list of Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee for the 119th Congress: Scott, SC Crapo, Idaho Rounds, SD Tillis, NC Kennedy, La. Hagerty, Tenn. Lummis, Wyo. Britt, Ala. Ricketts, Neb. Banks, Ind. Cramer, ND Moreno, Ohio McCormick, Penn.
020
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Restrictions on U.S. outbound investment in China have also been knocked out of the package, folks tell @jakesherman.bsky.social and me
186
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
The FDIC's inspector general released its inquiry into the agency's harassment problems today. According to a survey done by the OIG, one third of FDIC employees have "either experienced or personally witnessed harassment" at the agency. www.fdicoig.gov/sites/defaul...
132
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
Once more, with feeling! Shortly before midnight on Friday, Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown scheduled another nomination vote for two Biden administration appointees this week. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with details: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Senate Banking plots 11th-hour nomination vote, again
Shortly before midnight on Friday, Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown scheduled another nomination vote for two Biden administration appointees.
0224
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
Here's your first in-depth policy sit-down with the next chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Ever wondered what sold French Hill on crypto? We talked about that, what it will take to release Fannie-Freddie and a whole lot more.
010
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
HOW FRENCH WON: Tonight's PM top is a big joint effort from @jakesherman.bsky.social @mzanona.bsky.social Laura and I taking you inside the room that elected French Hill to chair the House Financial Services Committee. Barr had a major vulnerability. Hill clocked it and twisted the knife.
020
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Lots of folks have wondered how Tim Scott will juggle being chair of both the Senate Banking Committee and NRSC. I wrote about how it's been going so far: buff.ly/49Bboea
000
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
After postponing a vote to advance Biden administration nominees, the Senate Banking Committee will attempt to hold this vote off the Senate floor sometime later today — but there’s a miniature maelstrom hanging over the proceedings. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
About that nomination vote…
But there’s a miniature maelstrom hanging over the proceedings, with Sens. Adam Schiff and Andy Kim under significant industry pressure.
031
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
010
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Inside the room: Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) sits down with Treasury nominee Scott Bessent
030
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says the push to restrict outbound investment in China has “ongoing issues.” Plus, Scott Bessent, nominee for Treasury secretary, weighs in on Fed Chair Jay Powell serving his full term. Laura & @brendanpedersen.bsky.social: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Bessent on Powell, Jeffries on outbound
Back on the outs: Jeffries spoke to us about outbound investment restrictions after days of speculation about his role in killing the deal’s inclusion in the NDAA.
011
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown said his panel plans to move ahead on two nomination votes Wednesday morning, despite losing two Democratic members of the committee this week. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with more: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Brown’s nomination shuffle, plus Cornyn vs Jeffries
News: Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown said his panel plans to move ahead on two nomination votes Wednesday morning,.
043
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
The political season is over — but don’t think you’re free of politics on your TV! Different interest groups are churning out ads fighting for their tax and financial services priorities. Laura and @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with details: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Finserv, tax hopefuls hit the airwaves
Different interest groups are starting to churn out even more ads fighting for their tax and financial services priorities.
121
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
News from me and @AndrewDesiderio: Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is looking to depart the Senate Banking Committee as he eyes a seat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to three people familiar with the matter. More in PM:
230
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
A pledge from Elon Musk to cut down on “government waste” and reduce the number of federal agencies faces significant legal and political hurdles — but the campaign has kicked off real conversation among GOP lawmakers. @brendanpedersen.bsky.social with more: punchbowl.news/article/fina...
punchbowl.news
Musk wants fewer agencies. Republicans have ideas
A pledge from Elon Musk to cut down on “government waste” and reduce the number of federal agencies faces significant legal and political hurdles.
021
Reposted by Brendan Pedersen
Punchbowl News @punchbowlnews.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
From THE VAULT: Setting the stage for the 119th Congress, Elon Musk wants fewer agencies and Republicans have ideas, the struggle over the future of clean energy tax credits and more. Laura and @brendanpedersen.bsky.social in the Lookahead: punchbowl.news/archive/1212...
punchbowl.news
Subscribe to Punchbowl News Premium
094
Brendan Pedersen @brendanpedersen.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Fun fact: The CFPB has repeatedly brought legal action against an Andreessen Horowitz-backed startup called "LendUp Loans," including a 2021 order that closed the organization. The CFPB announced in May that it had returned $40 million to LendUp's customers.
030