Democrats will have 50 Senators in the new Congress and Republicans 49. Senator Sinema will continue her effort to be the most complete flake possible as an Independent. She may or may not caucus with Democrats but this still leaves Democrats with a majority without needing the Vice President’s vote. That doesn’t sound like much of a difference from the current Congress but the Washington Post reports that the extra Senator makes plenty of difference, particularly with confirmation of nominations. Will President Biden finally nominate a new Commissioner of Social Security next year?
17 comments:
I think that the White House already has its nominee, the current ACOSS. If they make a nomination, it would be subject to the Vacancies Act, but the ACOSS was uniquely appointed under the Social Security Act. Republicans won't confirm a Biden COSS because Biden fired their COSS before the end of the 6-year term. No votes on Public Trustees or SSAB Members in this Congress, so Biden is better off not nominating. Bad for the agency.
The ACOSS has demonstrated only that she has no ability to actually manage a flailing organization. Appoint someone with managerial competence even if only for a short time.
Based on the past situations with commissioners? No. That's my final answer. d;-)
Depending on the desires of the voters of the 46th Ward in Chicago, there may be a new Chief ALJ next year as well.
We all wanted a confirmed commissioner, and we got Saul.
The agency desperately needs a confirmed Commissioner, but it needs to be one that can manage and not be a YES person. I understand anyone nominated will have some allegiance to the President. I just want someone that will have the guts to make the tough decisions needed, without being beholden to an agenda.
What do they actually gain by nominating a COSS?
Saul as Commissioner was worse than not having a Commissioner at all.
Honestly, the need for a confirmed commissioner isn't even on Biden's radar anymore. The current incompetent acting one is more than sufficient for his needs, and I sincerely doubt that he is capable of coming up with anyone better.
It is no longer an election year, so all issues with SSA are about to magically disappear anyway (at least, until the Republicons raise them again for the next budget/spending limit fracas).
46th ward in Chicago? What am I missing?
Current Senate makeup -
Republicans - 49 Senators
Democrats - 48 Senators
Independents - 3 Senators (with 2 choosing to caucus with Democrats)
Current chief judge is running for alderman there
Nagle is running for an elected office in Chicago's upcoming municipal elections.
Biden would have to remember (or be reminded) that SSA exists first.
The only way to fix SSA is with Cabinet membership and Congressional support. I don't see either happening until the 2028 election at the earliest.
Not sure an SSA commissioner is really needed. It seems more of a figurehead position to go to conferences and talk to Congress. The actual day-to-day workings seems to be handled with other people.
Since I got into the game in 2006, Astrue was probably the best. But realistically, it probably was only 2 commissioners with Astrue and Better Call Saul (who was a disaster). My point is an interim SSA commissioner seems to work better without the need for a confirmation, which is a political cluster F.
Anyone that applies for the job should have a psych CE done, nobody in their right mind would want the job, it is a 100% chance of failure. The only reason someone would take the job is to "further" a career in the lobby field after they leave the agency.
If the Washington Post keeps running articles about the backlogs in SS/DI at the DDSs (and next the hearing level), it'll get the staff in the White House awake--and looking for a scapegoat, namely someone to nominate who can make all sorts of promises to the Senate (and implicitly the House). But if Congress can't get the $800B into SSA's hands this year, it won't matter at all.
Meanwhile, the White House gave the head of operations, Grace Kim, a 70k bonus for attacking labor and forcing members of the public to submit original documents during the pandemic, with offices closed to them. Nice!
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