On April 13 President Trump nominated Andrew Saul to become Commissioner of Social Security. The average time for the Senate to clear Trump's nominations has been 85 days. It's already been almost that long but no hearing has been scheduled on the Saul nomination.
I have to note a couple of things before we start speculating too much about the fate of the Saul nomination. The President nominated Charles Rettig to become Commissioner of the IRS on January 24. There was no hearing on that nomination until June 28. The other thing is that Saul actually received two nominations. One is for the current term of Social Security Commissioner which expires in January 2019. The other nomination is for a full six year term as Commissioner beginning in January 2019. Don't they have to wait until closer to the start date for the term to vote on confirming him to that six year term? What determines that? Statute? Senate rules? Tradition? The Senate Finance Committee may just be waiting until it can take up both of Saul's nominations.
I have to note a couple of things before we start speculating too much about the fate of the Saul nomination. The President nominated Charles Rettig to become Commissioner of the IRS on January 24. There was no hearing on that nomination until June 28. The other thing is that Saul actually received two nominations. One is for the current term of Social Security Commissioner which expires in January 2019. The other nomination is for a full six year term as Commissioner beginning in January 2019. Don't they have to wait until closer to the start date for the term to vote on confirming him to that six year term? What determines that? Statute? Senate rules? Tradition? The Senate Finance Committee may just be waiting until it can take up both of Saul's nominations.
Maybe I am just missing something, but how is Berryhill acting again after her time expired in November? Was she re-appointed and I'd so, when and by who?
ReplyDeleteNot sure. But, the commissioner term expires at the end of this year. She's a lame duck regardless of whatever her current job title is. Not sure she can re-appoint all the ALJ's either. And, that is ok as most ALJ's need to be let go anyway. I suspect the HOD job will be the next one to get a lot of scrutiny at OHO as they don't do anything to justify a GS14 salary. Saul will be sure to get rid of that job in its current form. And, that's ok too.
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