Biden pick for Social Security chief OK’d by Senate panel

Martin O’Malley’s nomination to lead the Social Security Administration won bipartisan support from a Senate panel on Tuesday, likely teeing up the first confirmed leader of the agency in over two years.

The Senate Finance Committee approved O’Malley, the former Democratic presidential hopeful and Maryland governor, 17-10, in vote held off the Senate floor during a morning vote series. Three Republicans voted with all Democrats in favor of O’Malley.