Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nominations And Oversight topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nominee hearing draws criticism: concerns raised about HHS inspector general pick and Social Security deputy nominee
Summary
During a Senate Committee on Finance nominees hearing, an unidentified committee member criticized HHS inspector general nominee Mr. Bell for partisan investigations and questioned Arjun Modi's readiness to lead Social Security operations, while also challenging trade nominees on the administration's trade agenda.
An unidentified committee member used a nominees hearing before the Senate Committee on Finance to sharply question multiple Trump administration nominees, raising concerns about the independence and experience of those under consideration.
On Mr. Bell, the nominee for inspector general at the Department of Health and Human Services, the speaker said the public record shows he "spent his career running smear campaigns," citing his role in investigations into Planned Parenthood and an inquiry into ActBlue. The speaker argued that past actions indicate Mr. Bell would politicize oversight rather than serve as an independent watchdog.
The speaker also raised questions about Arjun Modi, nominated to be deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration, noting that Modi "does not have any direct experience working on social security policy" and has limited people‑management experience. To illustrate the agency's service problems, the speaker referenced a constituent from Lake Oswego, Oregon who waited more than two hours on hold and then encountered repeated long waits when trying to reach Social Security for survivor‑benefit information.
Finally, the speaker criticized the administration's trade agenda while introducing Julie Callahan for chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and a Mr. Getman for deputy, saying inconsistent tariff policies have harmed farmers and small businesses and asking nominees how they would restore stability.
No formal confirmation votes or decisions are recorded in the transcript excerpt.
