Max Baucus, the senior Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee that will consider Michael Astrue's nomination to become Social Security Commissioner, has issued the following statement:
The country had a big debate last year about Social Security, and the American people made their views plain: they do not support the President’s proposals to privatize Social Security and to deeply cut benefits. As he moves through the nomination process, I hope that Michael Astrue will be responsive to the Americans he wishes to serve. He should commit to maintaining the critical role that the Social Security program currently plays in providing income security for retirees, disabled workers, survivors, and their families. He will also need a plan to speed and improve service to the public, particularly those applying for disability benefits.
I look forward to learning more about Mr. Astrue and his views on managing the Social Security Administration.
I will also add that Current Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart has done a good job leading this important agency in difficult times. Her dedication and expertise will be missed when she leaves, and she has my appreciation for her service.
This can be read to mean that Baucus will oppose Astrue's nomination unless Astrue repudiates President Bush's plans to privatize Social Security, or at least pledges not to try to advance it. There is a big reason why Astrue's nomination may fail anyway. If confirmed Astrue will serve throughout the term of the next president. Democrats in the Senate may prefer to prevent anyone from being confirmed rather than forcing the next president, who may be a Democrat, from having to cope with a Social Security Commissioner chosen by President Bush.
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