WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) today praised the confirmation of former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley to serve as the next Social Security Commissioner. The bipartisan vote Monday was 50-11.
“Martin O’Malley’s extensive career in public service – including as Mayor of Baltimore and Governor of Maryland -- has been underscored by transparency, accountability and progress. He will bring these same values to the Social Security Administration,” said Senator Cardin. “Social Security is a critical insurance policy that tens of millions of working Americans pay into every year so that benefits can be there when they are older, disabled or leave young children after death. Martin is a dedicated public servant who understands what Social Security means to our seniors, disability and survivor beneficiaries, and I am proud to support his confirmation as Social Security Commissioner.”
“Martin O’Malley understands the importance of Social Security to millions of Americans – including our seniors and those with disabilities. That’s why I was proud to support his confirmation today to lead the Social Security Administration. As the former chief executive of our state, I know he is committed to serving the American people and that he will be a great team leader for the public servants who power this Maryland-based agency. I’m confident in his commitment to protecting this vital earned benefit and delivering critical service for those who count on it,” said Senator Van Hollen.
The Social Security Administration (SSA), headquartered in Woodlawn, Md., near Baltimore, administers the Social Security programs (retirement and disability) and the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI, income support for low-income individuals who have not worked enough to qualify for Social Security). The agency has roughly 60,000 employees in Maryland and nationwide across the headquarters and 10 regional offices, six processing centers, 164 hearing offices and approximately 1,230 field offices.
The SSA also, E-Verify, Medicaid, and Federal Benefits for Veterans, as well as programs associated with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act, and Help America Vote Act. Altogether, SSA pays benefits to roughly 70 million people annually.
FORMER MARYLAND GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY
Martin O’Malley is a lifelong public servant, who served as Governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015, following two terms as Mayor of the City of Baltimore. Prior to being elected Mayor, O’Malley served as a member of the Baltimore City Council from 1991-1999 and previously served as an Assistant States Attorney for the City of Baltimore.
A pioneer of using performance-management and customer service technologies in government, O’Malley has written extensively about how to govern for better results in the Information Age by measuring the outputs of government on a real-time basis.
Martin O’Malley earned a B.A. from Catholic University and a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. Since 2016, he has lectured on public administration at numerous universities and institutions, including the University of Maryland, Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Boston College School of Law.
