New Commissioner Confirmed for Social Security Administration
After a long wait of two and a half years, the Social Security Administration finally has a confirmed commissioner. Martin O'Malley, a former governor of Maryland, has been nominated by President Joe Biden and has been confirmed by a Senate vote of 50-11.
A Record of Modernization and Transparency
Throughout his career in public service, Martin O'Malley has been dedicated to modernization and increased transparency. He prioritizes providing the services that people rely on, as evidenced by his unimpeachable record in Maryland. His nomination received strong support from Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, who chairs the Finance Committee. According to Sen. Wyden, O'Malley understands that improving customer service or filling a pothole doesn't belong to a specific political party; it is about serving the people.
A Rare Appointment
Over the past three decades, there have only been five confirmed commissioners of the Social Security Administration, in addition to seven acting commissioners. The appointment of commissioners is for a six-year term.
This appointment marks an important step forward for the agency, paving the way for continued progress and dedication to the American people.
The Power of Confirmation: O'Malley's Appointment as Social Security Commissioner
Maria Freese, the senior legislative representative at the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, a prominent liberal advocacy group, emphasized the significance of having an officially confirmed commissioner. According to Freese, acting commissioners hold less power as compared to those who have successfully gone through the confirmation process. She likened acting commissioners to substitute teachers in a classroom, indicating their limited influence when it comes to advocating for the agency and securing funding.
O'Malley has been appointed to serve out the remaining term of former Commissioner Andrew Saul until January 2025. Saul, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, was dismissed by President Biden, along with his deputy commissioner, David Black, in 2021. Kilolo Kijakazi was then named as the acting commissioner in their place. Critics argued that Biden's decision to remove Saul and Black had politicized the agency. Consequently, during O'Malley's confirmation hearing earlier this year, senators scrutinized his potential use of politics in his role.
Addressing the senators during the hearing, O'Malley expressed his concerns about Social Security facing a "customer-service crisis." He passionately commented that such a situation did not reflect the greatness or acceptability of America. Assuming the role of commissioner would indeed be an esteemed honor for O'Malley, as he conveyed during his confirmation hearing.
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