Likely SEC chairwoman pledges more rule-making and enforcement

Debevoise & Plimpton

Mary Jo White

Mary Jo White, whose confirmation as the next chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission is widely expected, told the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on Tuesday that she is committed to increasing enforcement and rule-making activity there.

Pressed for when the SEC will complete the dual regulatory agenda mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, Ms. White said that if confirmed, “I would drive all of the rule-making as quickly and smartly as possible.”

Ms. White also told the members that she would boost enforcement. “It must be fair, but it must also be bold and unrelenting,” she said.

The former federal prosecutor and high-profile securities lawyer said that, if confirmed, “the American public would be my client.”

A vote on Ms. White's nomination has not been scheduled, committee aides said.

— Contact Hazel Bradford at hbradford@pionline.com | @Bradford_PI