Carolyn Colvin was nominated to become Deputy Commissioner of Social Security on October 1, 2010. There has been no action in the Senate of the nomination. Undoubtedly, some Senator has placed a secret hold on the nomination. Why? Has she offended someone? Could it be payback for Democrats not confirming Andrew Biggs when he was nominated by George W. Bush? Could it be that Republicans think that one of their own, Michael Astrue, will have a stronger hand as head of Social Security without a Democrat as his deputy? Who knows? I do know that the confirmation delays in the Senate are out of hand. It is past time for the President to give Ms. Colvin a recess appointment.
Obviously the agency runs OK without a Deputy Commissioner, so just leave it open. Use the money to hire a couple CRs or BAs.
ReplyDeleteMaybe people have concerns about the actual nomination itself. She was at SSA before and, based on previous performance, may not be the best candidate for the job.
ReplyDeleteA#2 remembers her and so do I. Not sure why she was nominated, either. Wasn't impressed with her work when she was career in CO. No great loss, I think. Nancy O.
ReplyDeleteIt's a political job (as is the COSS) and I gotta respect the President wanting someone from his team in a leadership position. It's just the way the game is played. Whether the COSS is or isn't doing a good job isn't really relevant, the idea is that the president's agenda is best implemented when there is a person there with a tie with the leadership. Right now, the most senior white house representation seems to the CIO, Frank Baitman.
ReplyDeleteHow much progress could be made if the COSS and Deputy could each focus efforts on specific things? We may just never know.
The last poster is correct; having a White House person there is certainly preferable from the Administration's perspective. But Nancy O and others are also correct; C. Colvin wasn't very impressive the first time around (and that's being kind) so one really wonders why the White House couldn't come up with someone a bit more substantive and respected. The general lack of enthusiasm probably explains Senate inaction.
ReplyDeleteThis is all academic. These upper-level drones contribute nothing to the operation of the agency. If they all ended up quarantined for six months at one of the infamous junkets they take, productivity and customer satisfaction would soar.
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