East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, delivered a statement at a hearing to consider the nominations of Corey Anne Tellez to be the Department of the Treasury Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, and Andrew G. Biggs, Kathryn Rose Lang, and Sharon Beth Lewis to be Members of the Social Security Advisory Board.

Crapo began by acknowledging the nominees and expressing his gratitude for their willingness to serve. He then focused on Corey Anne Tellez, the nominee for Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Treasury Department. Crapo emphasized the importance of the Executive Branch cooperating and working closely with Congress, particularly with the committees overseeing the Treasury. He highlighted the need for transparency and accountability from the Treasury Department, urging them to provide accurate and timely responses to questions and letters from members of Congress.

Moving on to the other three nominees, Crapo addressed Andrew G. Biggs, Kathryn Rose Lang, and Sharon Beth Lewis, who were nominated to serve as members of the Social Security Advisory Board. Crapo emphasized the significance of these positions, given the operational and financing challenges facing the Social Security Administration and the Social Security system. He explained that the Social Security Advisory Board advises the President, Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security on issues related to Social Security and the SSA's service to the public.

Crapo highlighted the bipartisan nature of the Social Security Advisory Board, with four members appointed by Congress (two from each political party) and three nominated by the President. He expressed his expectation that the nominees would continue the Board's practice of operating by consensus and producing reports on a bipartisan basis.

In conclusion, Crapo expressed his anticipation for the nominees' testimony and their responses to questions.

The statement by Senator Crapo provides an overview of the nominations for key positions at the Department of the Treasury and the Social Security Advisory Board. It emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and bipartisan cooperation in these roles. The nominees will now go through the confirmation process, where their qualifications and commitment to the responsibilities of their positions will be further evaluated.