Former Maryland Gov. O’Malley Confirmed to Lead Social Security Agency

Published on December 19, 2023

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) has been confirmed by the Senate in a 50-11 vote on Dec. 18 as commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA). Ahead of his confirmation, Mr. O’Malley was first approved by the Senate Finance Committee by a margin of 17–10 on Nov. 28, four months after President Joe Biden picked the former governor to fill the position on July 26. Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) all voted in favor of confirming Mr. O’Malley, as did all of the committee’s Democrats. Disagreement regarding the candidate, who has some support from both parties, occurred over the dismissal of his predecessor, former Commissioner Andrew Saul, who was one of the few holdovers nominated by former President Donald Trump....

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