RIFs?

[statman]

Not sure what that means. I do not see how real change can come from the same people who have been running nothings for years. But perhaps you something that I’ do not. However,I doubt it.

[statman]

That is running things for years and perhaps you know something i don’t know.

[hopefalj]

Jan 16, 2021 20:13:42 GMT -5 Legal Beagle said:

Jan 15, 2021 15:34:03 GMT -5 statman said:

Change at the very top is insufficient. Real productive change will only happen when there is change at the chief judge and regional chief judge levels.

The Regional Chiefs just have to enforce whatever the very top tells them to do. Until the top understands the hearing process as well as the eligibility requirements, we will always be the dirty stepchildren of the agency.

Agreed. The primary cause of garbage hearing office policy is and will almost certainly always be Baltimore rather than Falls Church. Until they get rid of the people who have no clue how a legal adjudication process should be designed, we’re going to have nonsensical policies. If not our current FC leadership, they (Baltimore) certainly could have found other yes men to sign ridiculous affidavits and implement inefficient and counterproductive policies.

[wacokid]

All I'm saying is that Pat Nagle is smart and sensible, which I say based on 30 years of knowing him. And I'd be pretty surprised if he weren't in agreement with whatever the new administration wants done.

That said, we don't talk about his work.

[jagvet]

Jan 18, 2021 16:13:03 GMT -5 wacokid said:

All I'm saying is that Pat Nagle is smart and sensible, which I say based on 30 years of knowing him. And I'd be pretty surprised if he weren't in agreement with whatever the new administration wants done.

That said, we don't talk about his work.

So?  He's covered by Hatch Act.  Agreement or not, he'll do whatever the leadership wants. Even if Saul and Black are kicked out, there will be no changes in cases or procedures.  A new commissioner might be more labor-friendly, but the careerists who have run the cases forever will continue to do so. They constructed this Rube Goldberg machine and they won't let some new commissioner change it.

[wacokid]

Jan 18, 2021 23:22:02 GMT -5 @pikapika said:

Jan 18, 2021 16:13:03 GMT -5 wacokid said:

All I'm saying is that Pat Nagle is smart and sensible, which I say based on 30 years of knowing him. And I'd be pretty surprised if he weren't in agreement with whatever the new administration wants done.

That said, we don't talk about his work.

I’m not sure we’re talking about the same Patrick Nagle here.

Unless there are two SSA ODAR Chief ALJs by the name, then we are.

[christina]

Jan 18, 2021 23:35:32 GMT -5 wacokid said:

Jan 18, 2021 23:22:02 GMT -5 @pikapika said:

I’m not sure we’re talking about the same Patrick Nagle here.

Unless there are two SSA ODAR Chief ALJs by the name, then we are.

[

I agree with Wacokid

[statman]

I do not believe that we should discuss any particular person. My point is that we need real change and it will not come unless there is a radical change of personnel at the Chief Judge and Regional Chief judge level. If you are satisfied that the current process results in fair results then keep the current personnel. If you believe that something better is needed then change of personnel is mandatory, no matter how smart any particular person may be.

[Pixie]

Jan 19, 2021 2:43:58 GMT -5 statman said:

I do not believe that we should discuss any particular person. My point is that we need real change and it will not come unless there is a radical change of personnel at the Chief Judge and Regional Chief judge level. If you are satisfied that the current process results in fair results then keep the current personnel. If you believe that something better is needed then change of personnel is mandatory, no matter how smart any particular person may be.

But the Chief Judge and regional judges take their marching orders straight from Baltimore. Pixie

[jagvet]

Jan 15, 2021 1:30:06 GMT -5 jagvet said:

Jan 12, 2021 23:12:51 GMT -5 Top Tier said:

Social Security Unions Urge Biden to Oust Agency Leadership on Day One

Leaders of two unions representing employees at the Social Security Administration on Tuesday called on President-elect Biden to oust agency Commissioner Andrew Saul and Deputy Commissioner David Black on the first day of his administration.

www.govexec.com/management/2021/01/social-security-unions-urge-biden-oust-agency-leadership-day-one/171356/

I am changing my predictions.  Black will be out by February 28.  Saul will hang on until a replacement is confirmed.

I was half-kidding in that post, but Senator Brown doesn't like them.  Maybe 2/28 is their Waterloo.  We'll see.

[christina]

I'm still confused. Since SSA is an independent agency, I thought Saul decides whether he stays six years or less, not the POTUS. I know that has come in this thread but did we ever figure out the answer to this. I know Astrue stayed all 6 years and I doubt he was Obama's top pick. Although maybe that was political cause the Senate was R back then and perhaps they told Obama they would not approve his new selections for a Commish.

Still, a political stalemate over the SSA Commish seems unlikely (yes I know we had that post Astrue but that was when the position was vacant).

ok, way too many work related musings for a Sunday morning. ciao!

[Pixie]

Feb 21, 2021 8:53:07 GMT -5 christina said:

I'm still confused. Since SSA is an independent agency, I thought Saul decides whether he stays six years or less, not the POTUS. I know that has come in this thread but did we ever figure out the answer to this. I know Astrue stayed all 6 years and I doubt he was Obama's top pick. Although maybe that was political cause the Senate was R back then and perhaps they told Obama they would not approve his new selections for a Commish.

Still, a political stalemate over the SSA Commish seems unlikely (yes I know we had that post Astrue but that was when the position was vacant).

ok, way too many work related musings for a Sunday morning. ciao!

It is a six year term. I believe there must be good cause for removal. I used to know for sure, but that was pre Covid. I'm sure someone here will know. Pixie

[okthen]

Feb 21, 2021 8:53:07 GMT -5 christina said:

I'm still confused. Since SSA is an independent agency, I thought Saul decides whether he stays six years or less, not the POTUS. I know that has come in this thread but did we ever figure out the answer to this. I know Astrue stayed all 6 years and I doubt he was Obama's top pick. Although maybe that was political cause the Senate was R back then and perhaps they told Obama they would not approve his new selections for a Commish.

Still, a political stalemate over the SSA Commish seems unlikely (yes I know we had that post Astrue but that was when the position was vacant).

ok, way too many work related musings for a Sunday morning. ciao!

A recent Supreme Court decision brought into question whether or not the President can remove the SSA commish at anytime. It is currently unsettled officially, but from what I gather, more people (than not) think POTUS has the ability to repeal and replace the SSA Commish despite the 6 year term.

[christina]

Feb 21, 2021 10:44:47 GMT -5 okthen said:

Feb 21, 2021 8:53:07 GMT -5 christina said:

I'm still confused. Since SSA is an independent agency, I thought Saul decides whether he stays six years or less, not the POTUS. I know that has come in this thread but did we ever figure out the answer to this. I know Astrue stayed all 6 years and I doubt he was Obama's top pick. Although maybe that was political cause the Senate was R back then and perhaps they told Obama they would not approve his new selections for a Commish.

Still, a political stalemate over the SSA Commish seems unlikely (yes I know we had that post Astrue but that was when the position was vacant).

ok, way too many work related musings for a Sunday morning. ciao!

A recent Supreme Court decision brought into question whether or not the President can remove the SSA commish at anytime. It is currently unsettled officially, but from what I gather, more people (than not) think POTUS has the ability to repeal and replace the SSA Commish despite the 6 year term.

D.... an impressive answer!!!

[nylawyer]

Feb 21, 2021 10:44:47 GMT -5 okthen said:

Feb 21, 2021 8:53:07 GMT -5 christina said:

I'm still confused. Since SSA is an independent agency, I thought Saul decides whether he stays six years or less, not the POTUS. I know that has come in this thread but did we ever figure out the answer to this. I know Astrue stayed all 6 years and I doubt he was Obama's top pick. Although maybe that was political cause the Senate was R back then and perhaps they told Obama they would not approve his new selections for a Commish.

Still, a political stalemate over the SSA Commish seems unlikely (yes I know we had that post Astrue but that was when the position was vacant).

ok, way too many work related musings for a Sunday morning. ciao!

A recent Supreme Court decision brought into question whether or not the President can remove the SSA commish at anytime. It is currently unsettled officially, but from what I gather, more people (than not) think POTUS has the ability to repeal and replace the SSA Commish despite the 6 year term.

I can't help but wonder how many "experts" opinions on whether the President can replace the Commissioner is impacted on who the President and Commissioner are.

[jagvet]

I always wondered why the senate never approved Carolyn Colvin, Obama's nominee a replacement for Astrue. Senate Finance Committee approved her, but full senate never voted for years until Obama left. Hemphill served as acting when Colvin left until a court said she violated the Vacancies Act by serving too long. Then Saul was nominated and confirmed.

Very complicated politics, I guess.

[statman]

It is really too much to expect our elected officials to follow the law. Basically they do what they want.The law is for the little guys.

[christina]

Feb 21, 2021 13:29:54 GMT -5 jagvet said:

I always wondered why the senate never approved Carolyn Colvin, Obama's nominee a replacement for Astrue. Senate Finance Committee approved her, but full senate never voted for years until Obama left. Hemphill served as acting when Colvin left until a court said she violated the Vacancies Act by serving too long. Then Saul was nominated and confirmed.

Very complicated politics, I guess.

Yeah some political games re her. She was the de facto Commissioner anyway and good at it. It’s a shame she was not confirmed