Senators Float Bill to Boost Diversity of Fed Bank Presidents

Democratic senators floated legislation Thursday that seeks to ensure minority and female candidates get a shot at serving as a Federal Reserve Bank president.

The Diverse Leadership Act, introduced by Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., would require that at least one minority and one female candidate be interviewed to fill presidential vacancies at the twelve Federal Reserve banks.

The Fed banks are located in San Francisco, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City and Dallas.

Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., are lead co-sponsors of the bill.

“Diversity is critical to ensuring all voices are represented and heard in our government, and critically important on matters that affect our nation’s economy,” said Harris, in a statement.

She added that as the president of the Federal Reserve of San Francisco departs next month “and the search for his replacement underway, the need for this Diverse Leadership Act is urgent.”