Skip to content
Sign up to receive our free weekday morning edition, and you'll never miss a scoop.
Bessent said the Trump administration sees a long-term role for tariff revenue in U.S. fiscal policy, and he backed Trump’s assertion that the levies could help pay for tax cuts.

Cabinet secretaries send mixed signals on CDFIs

News: Two cabinet secretaries appeared to walk back plans to “eliminate” a Treasury Department organization that funds community development financial institutions, according to an interview and statement shared with Punchbowl News.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is responsible for the CDFI Fund, said in a statement Tuesday that the Trump administration “recognizes the important role that the CDFI Fund and CDFIs play in expanding access to capital and providing technical assistance to communities across the United States.”

And in an interview, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner told us the Trump administration wasn’t trying to shut down the CDFI Fund. However, Turner did suggest that changes could be coming to the beloved and bipartisan program. “This is really a tightening and a streamlining,” Turner said.

Subscripion logo

You're seeing a preview of our Premium Policy: The Vault financial services and tax policy coverage. Read the full story by subscribing here.

Presented by The Texas Tribune Festival

Shape the future of Texas at the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival — Texas’ breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Be there for a deep dive into the ideas and actions transforming our state.

 

Get Tickets

Editorial photos provided by Getty Images. Political ads courtesy of AdImpact.

Presented by The Texas Tribune Festival

Shape the future of Texas at the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival — Texas’ breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Be there for a deep dive into the ideas and actions transforming our state.

 

Get Tickets