Senate Finance Committee To Vote On Eanes Nomination

     The Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a vote for March 2 on the nomination of Andrew Lamont Eanes to become Deputy Commissioner of Social Security. Barring any last minute problem, Eanes is likely to be confirmed by the Senate in the near future.

     If confirmed, Eanes will immediately replace Carolyn Colvin as Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Let me explain why that is. Social Security's Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner do not serve at the pleasure of the President. They serve set six year terms. Colvin's term as Deputy Commissioner ended about three years ago if I remember correctly. She has stayed in office only because the statute allows a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner to stay in office until a successor is confirmed. The last Commissioner of Social Security, Michael Astrue, resigned some time ago. If Eanes is confirmed, Colvin is immediately out of a job. Eanes will immediately succeed her as Acting Commissioner. There is no pending nomination for Commissioner. Colvin had been nominated in the last Congress but President Obama did not re-nominate her after the 2014 Congressional election.