Controversial Head of Social Security to Step Down July 31
Dorcas R. Hardy is resigning as head of the Social Security Administration in the face of congressional criticism and indications that President Bush wanted to replace her.
Hardy, whose three years as Social Security commissioner were marked by controversial efforts to streamline the agency, told Bush in a letter her office released Friday that she will step down July 31.
The Administration is expected to nominate Gwendolyn King, a former legislative aide to Sen. John Heinz (R-Pa.), who later headed the office of Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh when he was governor of Pennsylvania, according to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Hardy, 42, in her letter, said she improved the efficiency of the agency and added to its services despite declines in staffing.
Among the criticism directed against Hardy is that new services she introduced have been implemented poorly and resulted in worse service to the public.
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