Acting Commissioner To Be Dye?

Under an order issued some months ago by President Bush, Larry W. Dye, Social Security's Chief of Staff will become the Acting Commissioner of Social Security as of January 20, when the position becomes vacant because of the end of Commissioner Barnhart's statutory term. At least Dye will become the Acting Commissioner assuming that Dye is still at Social Security and that the President has not altered the succession at the last minute. Social Security's website shows Dye still at Social Security as the Chief of Staff. Perhaps, Social Security will put out a press release on Monday to make it absolutely clear.

The name of the Acting Commissioner is not without importance. Each working day dozens of Social Security claimants sue the Commissioner or Acting Commissioner of Social Security and they need to know whom they should list as the defendant.