The Hill News

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd said Thursday that he is "fine" with Elizabeth Warren's reported appointment as a special adviser to the newly created consumer protection agency. 

Media reports Wednesday indicated that President Obama will appoint the Harvard Law professor to a special position to oversee its creation, thereby avoiding a possibly tough confirmation hearing while allowing her to help establish the agency. 

Dodd (D-Conn.), who has expressed skepticism over Warren's confirmability, approved of the idea but said that the agency still needs a permanent head.

"Well no that's fine, we just need to get a director," he told reporters on Capitol Hill. "It needs a director, it needs a leader. I thought the administration would send Elizabeth Warren's name. They are having her serve as in a special advisory role." 

Liberal groups have pressed the White House to appoint Warren, who is credited with developing the idea for the agency that is a key part of the financial reform law, to head the agency.

In recent weeks, she appeared to be the front-runner for the position, meeting with banking groups and White House officials.

But some Republicans have remained skeptical of a potential Warren-led agency. Despite her current appointment, observers believe it is still possible for Obama to appoint Warren on a permanent basis.

Dodd reiterated his worries about her confirmability, but did not question her qualifications to lead the agency.

"I'm hopeful in the next period of time, we can get a nominee and hold some hearings," he said, later ading that "I think she is qualified, I'm just not sure that she is confirmable."