Kathleen Romig
@kathleenromig.bsky.social
📊 Director of Social Security and Disability Policy at @centeronbudget
🏛️ Proud former fed: SSA, CRS, OMB, SSAB
🏛️ Proud former fed: SSA, CRS, OMB, SSAB
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
Also, every service.
Basically every visit to see my mom is 50% working through 2FA systems with her so she can pay utility bills.
Basically every visit to see my mom is 50% working through 2FA systems with her so she can pay utility bills.
We're drowning in passwords & multi-factor authentication & chatbots & "unusually high call volume" & robots ignoring "representative!"
We should think more carefully about how Social Security uses these tools with our parents & grandparents.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/aint-no-pa...
We should think more carefully about how Social Security uses these tools with our parents & grandparents.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/aint-no-pa...
Ain't No Party Like an Administrative Burden Party
You are cordially invited to Admin Night - bring your paperwork
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Also, every service.
Basically every visit to see my mom is 50% working through 2FA systems with her so she can pay utility bills.
Basically every visit to see my mom is 50% working through 2FA systems with her so she can pay utility bills.
We're drowning in passwords & multi-factor authentication & chatbots & "unusually high call volume" & robots ignoring "representative!"
We should think more carefully about how Social Security uses these tools with our parents & grandparents.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/aint-no-pa...
We should think more carefully about how Social Security uses these tools with our parents & grandparents.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/aint-no-pa...
Ain't No Party Like an Administrative Burden Party
You are cordially invited to Admin Night - bring your paperwork
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
We're drowning in passwords & multi-factor authentication & chatbots & "unusually high call volume" & robots ignoring "representative!"
We should think more carefully about how Social Security uses these tools with our parents & grandparents.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/aint-no-pa...
We should think more carefully about how Social Security uses these tools with our parents & grandparents.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/aint-no-pa...
Savoring this update on a battle that we worked so hard to win. It means dignity—not destitution—for up to 1.5 million older workers who become disabled & for their families, too.
Keep hoping, keep fighting, and celebrate every victory. 🎉
www.cbpp.org/blog/trump-a...
Keep hoping, keep fighting, and celebrate every victory. 🎉
www.cbpp.org/blog/trump-a...
November 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Savoring this update on a battle that we worked so hard to win. It means dignity—not destitution—for up to 1.5 million older workers who become disabled & for their families, too.
Keep hoping, keep fighting, and celebrate every victory. 🎉
www.cbpp.org/blog/trump-a...
Keep hoping, keep fighting, and celebrate every victory. 🎉
www.cbpp.org/blog/trump-a...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
So great to see BLS back to work measuring and informing us about our large and dynamic economy.
It’s a great institution full of dedicated civil servants deeply committed their mission. They have had a tough year, and everyone is covering for someone who left. I thank them all for their service.
It’s a great institution full of dedicated civil servants deeply committed their mission. They have had a tough year, and everyone is covering for someone who left. I thank them all for their service.
November 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
So great to see BLS back to work measuring and informing us about our large and dynamic economy.
It’s a great institution full of dedicated civil servants deeply committed their mission. They have had a tough year, and everyone is covering for someone who left. I thank them all for their service.
It’s a great institution full of dedicated civil servants deeply committed their mission. They have had a tough year, and everyone is covering for someone who left. I thank them all for their service.
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
After enacting the deepest #SNAP cuts in history & needlessly disrupting benefits during the shutdown, the Trump Administration is quietly advancing draft regulations to take SNAP away from millions more people – primarily working families with kids, seniors & disabled people.
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
After enacting the deepest #SNAP cuts in history & needlessly disrupting benefits during the shutdown, the Trump Administration is quietly advancing draft regulations to take SNAP away from millions more people – primarily working families with kids, seniors & disabled people.
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
RFK Jr had committed to Bill Cassidy, as a condition to win his vote, that he would keep website language.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
RFK Jr had committed to Bill Cassidy, as a condition to win his vote, that he would keep website language.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
Things are bad, but pushback can still work. Keep it up.
The Trump Administration is abandoning plans for the biggest-ever cut to Social Security Disability Insurance, which would have hit older workers hardest.
The rule would have devastated up to 1.5 million workers' financial stability, retirement security & access to health care.
wapo.st/4o48J24
The rule would have devastated up to 1.5 million workers' financial stability, retirement security & access to health care.
wapo.st/4o48J24
Social Security scraps plan to limit disability benefits after uproar
The policy would have fundamentally altered who qualifies for the two federal disability programs by eliminating or limiting a person’s age as a factor to consider.
wapo.st
November 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Things are bad, but pushback can still work. Keep it up.
The Trump Administration is abandoning plans for the biggest-ever cut to Social Security Disability Insurance, which would have hit older workers hardest.
The rule would have devastated up to 1.5 million workers' financial stability, retirement security & access to health care.
wapo.st/4o48J24
The rule would have devastated up to 1.5 million workers' financial stability, retirement security & access to health care.
wapo.st/4o48J24
Social Security scraps plan to limit disability benefits after uproar
The policy would have fundamentally altered who qualifies for the two federal disability programs by eliminating or limiting a person’s age as a factor to consider.
wapo.st
November 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The Trump Administration is abandoning plans for the biggest-ever cut to Social Security Disability Insurance, which would have hit older workers hardest.
The rule would have devastated up to 1.5 million workers' financial stability, retirement security & access to health care.
wapo.st/4o48J24
The rule would have devastated up to 1.5 million workers' financial stability, retirement security & access to health care.
wapo.st/4o48J24
My work bestie & I took Friday afternoon off & did exactly this!
People are holding administrative burden parties to collectively take on tasks
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
Essay | How to Turn the Bureaucratic Grind of Life Into a Party
We all feel it: the growing stream of administrative tasks sapping our time, spirits and social lives. Admin Night represents a tiny, nerdy resistance.
www.wsj.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
My work bestie & I took Friday afternoon off & did exactly this!
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
“If the government starts using the database and does not put out the appropriate disclosure and then later does put out that appropriate disclosure, they still have violated the law,” EFF’s Adam Schwartz told @WIRED.com.
www.wired.com/story/socia...
www.wired.com/story/socia...
Social Security Data Is Openly Being Shared With DHS to Target Immigrants
For months, the Social Security Administration was quietly sharing sensitive data about immigrants with DHS. Now it’s official.
www.wired.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“If the government starts using the database and does not put out the appropriate disclosure and then later does put out that appropriate disclosure, they still have violated the law,” EFF’s Adam Schwartz told @WIRED.com.
www.wired.com/story/socia...
www.wired.com/story/socia...
“Serving the most marginalized is fundamental to the Christian faith. By one count, more than 2,000 scriptural passages mandate or endorse service to the poor and the work of justice.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
Opinion | Pope Leo Doesn’t Want to Be the Anti-Trump. But He Is.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:36 PM
“Serving the most marginalized is fundamental to the Christian faith. By one count, more than 2,000 scriptural passages mandate or endorse service to the poor and the work of justice.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/o...
Great piece describing something I’ve often observed: Many older folks shun the label “disabled,” which can mean missing out on accommodations & community.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/h...
Wheelchair? Hearing Aids? Yes. ‘Disabled’? No Way.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Great piece describing something I’ve often observed: Many older folks shun the label “disabled,” which can mean missing out on accommodations & community.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/h...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
Alice Wong, Writer and Relentless Advocate for Disability Rights, Dies at 51
Born with muscular dystrophy, she received a MacArthur “Genius” grant in 2024 for her decades of calling attention to the need for equal rights for disabled people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Born with muscular dystrophy, she received a MacArthur “Genius” grant in 2024 for her decades of calling attention to the need for equal rights for disabled people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Alice Wong, Writer and Relentless Advocate for Disability Rights, Dies at 51
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Alice Wong, Writer and Relentless Advocate for Disability Rights, Dies at 51
Born with muscular dystrophy, she received a MacArthur “Genius” grant in 2024 for her decades of calling attention to the need for equal rights for disabled people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Born with muscular dystrophy, she received a MacArthur “Genius” grant in 2024 for her decades of calling attention to the need for equal rights for disabled people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
(AP) — A confidant of Bill Pulte .. provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor, alarming senior officials .. who warned it could expose the company to claims that it was colluding with a rival to fix mortgage rates.
apnews.com/article/fann...
apnews.com/article/fann...
November 14, 2025 at 12:04 PM
(AP) — A confidant of Bill Pulte .. provided confidential mortgage pricing data from Fannie Mae to a principal competitor, alarming senior officials .. who warned it could expose the company to claims that it was colluding with a rival to fix mortgage rates.
apnews.com/article/fann...
apnews.com/article/fann...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
NEW: DHS is pushing ahead in building a searchable national citizenship system it wants to use to go through voter rolls.
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
DHS expanding citizenship system for voter verification, despite concerns about potential disenfranchisement
Twenty-six states are in line to use a revamped DHS system to check their voter rolls for non-citizens, although the network has raised concerns about privacy and accuracy — including if it could kick...
www.nextgov.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:02 PM
NEW: DHS is pushing ahead in building a searchable national citizenship system it wants to use to go through voter rolls.
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
I wish I could take credit for the phrase "new heights of flouting" but that came from the team at @theunpopulist.net who gave me the space for this take on the current landscape of congressional vs. executive power over spending. www.theunpopulist.net/p/founders-w...
Founders Would Be Horrified by Congress's Surrender of its Power of the Purse to POTUS
The shutdown is testimony to how a subservient legislature makes governance dysfunctional
www.theunpopulist.net
November 13, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I wish I could take credit for the phrase "new heights of flouting" but that came from the team at @theunpopulist.net who gave me the space for this take on the current landscape of congressional vs. executive power over spending. www.theunpopulist.net/p/founders-w...
A Trump appointee probes sensitive mortgage docs & refers critics for criminal prosecution.
When the FHFA IG hands over docs related to the case, he's fired.
When Fannie Mae watchdogs investigate, they're removed too.
It's just the latest Admin attack on oversight. 🧵
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
When the FHFA IG hands over docs related to the case, he's fired.
When Fannie Mae watchdogs investigate, they're removed too.
It's just the latest Admin attack on oversight. 🧵
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM
A Trump appointee probes sensitive mortgage docs & refers critics for criminal prosecution.
When the FHFA IG hands over docs related to the case, he's fired.
When Fannie Mae watchdogs investigate, they're removed too.
It's just the latest Admin attack on oversight. 🧵
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
When the FHFA IG hands over docs related to the case, he's fired.
When Fannie Mae watchdogs investigate, they're removed too.
It's just the latest Admin attack on oversight. 🧵
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
It is disgusting to see the agency in charge of LEGAL immigration celebrating a reduction in the total immigrant population. It shows that its goals are not the law and the best interest of the United States, but rather a weirdo obsession with birthplace over merit.
November 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It is disgusting to see the agency in charge of LEGAL immigration celebrating a reduction in the total immigrant population. It shows that its goals are not the law and the best interest of the United States, but rather a weirdo obsession with birthplace over merit.
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
She doesn't even say those dead people were necessarily receiving benefits. It's the same shit Elon Musk tried to pull with Social Security. 3 million people die in the U.S. every year.
She says, "we found almost 200,000 dead people," but doesn't finish the sentence with "...receiving benefits."
She says, "we found almost 200,000 dead people," but doesn't finish the sentence with "...receiving benefits."
Brooke Rollins: "SNAP is a broken program. SNAP is full of corruption. We found 186,000 dead people."
November 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
She doesn't even say those dead people were necessarily receiving benefits. It's the same shit Elon Musk tried to pull with Social Security. 3 million people die in the U.S. every year.
She says, "we found almost 200,000 dead people," but doesn't finish the sentence with "...receiving benefits."
She says, "we found almost 200,000 dead people," but doesn't finish the sentence with "...receiving benefits."
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
The Trump Admin's shameful attacks on kids with disabilities are happening on every front: legislation (OBBB), regs, and RIFs. The Social Security Administration's new proposed rule to limit SSI eligibility is yet another example. 1/ firstfocus.org/update/recen...
Recent Actions by the Trump Administration Target Children with Disabilities
Proposed rules, reductions in force, threaten roughly 100,000 children who rely on Supplemental Security Income, plus others in need of support and
firstfocus.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The Trump Admin's shameful attacks on kids with disabilities are happening on every front: legislation (OBBB), regs, and RIFs. The Social Security Administration's new proposed rule to limit SSI eligibility is yet another example. 1/ firstfocus.org/update/recen...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
My latest on the lessons from the Administration's horrific freeze of SNAP food assistance.
Balkinization: What the Administration’s SNAP Freeze Teaches Us share.google/PSeuJtcugMGO...
Balkinization: What the Administration’s SNAP Freeze Teaches Us share.google/PSeuJtcugMGO...
What the Administration’s SNAP Freeze Teaches Us
For more than a decade, Congress has provided a contingency reserve to fund the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) during g...
share.google
November 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
My latest on the lessons from the Administration's horrific freeze of SNAP food assistance.
Balkinization: What the Administration’s SNAP Freeze Teaches Us share.google/PSeuJtcugMGO...
Balkinization: What the Administration’s SNAP Freeze Teaches Us share.google/PSeuJtcugMGO...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
New at Can We Still Govern: The IRS is a key agency and its decline is emblematic of Trump-era mismanagement.
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social & Eliis Chen lay out the questions that Democrats should be asking its new leader.
Incredibly informative piece.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/five-quest...
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social & Eliis Chen lay out the questions that Democrats should be asking its new leader.
Incredibly informative piece.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/five-quest...
Five Questions for IRS CEO Frank Bisignano
The IRS has a new leader – maybe he can tell us whats happening
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM
New at Can We Still Govern: The IRS is a key agency and its decline is emblematic of Trump-era mismanagement.
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social & Eliis Chen lay out the questions that Democrats should be asking its new leader.
Incredibly informative piece.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/five-quest...
@vanessawilliamson.bsky.social & Eliis Chen lay out the questions that Democrats should be asking its new leader.
Incredibly informative piece.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/five-quest...
Trump's retaliatory firing of the Fannie Mae IG is merely the latest in a series of actions to undermine any meaningful oversight of his Administration. We wrote about the whole picture last week:
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
November 11, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Trump's retaliatory firing of the Fannie Mae IG is merely the latest in a series of actions to undermine any meaningful oversight of his Administration. We wrote about the whole picture last week:
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Reposted by Kathleen Romig
Ok but GUYS MY BOOK IS ACTUALLY OUT TODAY
YOU CAN GO AND GET A COPY AND READ IT AND EVERYTHING
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
YOU CAN GO AND GET A COPY AND READ IT AND EVERYTHING
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Ok but GUYS MY BOOK IS ACTUALLY OUT TODAY
YOU CAN GO AND GET A COPY AND READ IT AND EVERYTHING
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...
YOU CAN GO AND GET A COPY AND READ IT AND EVERYTHING
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vanes...