Even as policymakers continue to battle over theeffectiveness of the CFPB, the agency has issued its latest requestfor comment on its activities–this one focusing on its enforcementpowers.

Acting Director Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of how theagency operated under former Director Richard Cordray, hasannounced that the agency is reexamining how it administersconsumer protection laws. The bureau already has asked for commenton improvements to its administrative adjudication and civil demandprocesses.

In its latest request for comment, the bureau wants toknow—among other things—whether its civil penalties are fair andhow well the agency coordinates with other state and federalagencies. In addition, the bureau is seeking suggestions on how torelieve the burden of its enforcement activities, the length of itsinvestigations and whether the targets of its probes should bepermitted to make a presentation to bureau officials before theagency initiates an enforcement action.

Mulvaney said that next week, the agency will request comment onthe bureau's supervisory responsibilities.

Credit union leaders, including NCUA Board Chairman J. MarkMcWatters, have criticized the agency's role in overseeing creditunion activities.

Meanwhile, Mulvaney's supporters and critics continue to battleover how he is overhauling the agency.

In a conference call with reporters, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)accused Mulvaney of transforming the CFPB into a “corporatefinancial protection bureau.”

He accused Mulvaney of attempting to dismantle the bureau fromthe inside.

But on Tuesday, Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting saidthat he had met with Mulvaney and was “impressed with Mick'sleadership and emphasis on operational efficiency andexcellence.”

“I share his willingness to reevaluate practices and programsthat result in regulatory overreach and unnecessary burden thatadversely affect banks' ability to serve their customers,” Ottingsaid, following the meeting.

He added, that “Unnecessary regulatory burden is a waste thatplaces a drag on our entire economy without making the system saferor fairer.”

He singled out Mulvaney's decisions to delay implementation ofHome Mortgage Disclosure Act rules, re-examine the agency's paydaylending rule and “deferring action on additional regulations untilcompleting a more thorough review of those matters.”

Otting is a Trump Administration appointee, as is Mulvaney.