October 29,2025

Crapo Statement at Social Security, USTR, HHS Nominations Hearing

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing to consider Arjun Mody to be Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Jeffrey Goettman to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR), Julie Callahan to be the Chief Agricultural Negotiator at USTR, and Thomas Bell to be Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

As prepared for delivery:

“Thank you to our nominees, Mr. Mody, Mr. Goettman, Dr. Callahan and Mr. Bell for being here today. Congratulations on your nominations and thank you all for your willingness to serve.

“We will first hear from Arjun Mody, who is nominated to serve as the Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA).

“The Deputy Commissioner assists in administering the programs necessary to accomplish SSA’s mission, including directing the development of agency policies and procedures, as well as the management of agency financial management systems. Mr. Mody has over 20 years of experience in the public sector, most recently as a senior Senate staffer for our colleague, Senator Barrasso. I am confident that his extensive background in government service will allow him to maneuver effectively at SSA and assist Commissioner Bisignano in delivering the high-quality service that beneficiaries deserve.

“Next, we will hear from Jeff Goettman, who is nominated to serve as Deputy USTR for Africa, the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, the Environment, Labor and Industrial Competitiveness.

“If confirmed, Mr. Goettman will have an array of complex matters in his portfolio. Given his background, he is well qualified to manage these issues. For example, while serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Export-Import Bank, Mr. Goettman assisted small businesses in exporting U.S. capital goods, allowing these businesses to stay competitive on the global stage. This experience will serve him well at USTR, where he will be responsible for ensuring American interests are protected abroad.

“We will also hear from Dr. Julie Callahan, who is nominated to serve as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator at USTR. Dr. Callahan has a long career in public service across USTR, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture. As the Assistant USTR for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy, Dr. Callahan has worked tirelessly to promote the interests of U.S. farmers, ranchers and food manufacturers. In fact, her nomination has been supported by over 80 trade associations representing these groups. I look forward to working with her, if confirmed, to ensure that the interests of U.S. agriculture are protected in international negotiations.

“Finally, we will hear from March Bell, who is nominated to serve as the Inspector General of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department.

“The statutory purpose of the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse, and to promote the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of HHS programs and operations. HHS is responsible for administering some of our most significant and wide-ranging programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Mr. Bell will need to serve as a principled overseer of these programs, ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are used effectively. His long career conducting oversight and investigations at the Department of Justice and in the House of Representatives, among other federal and state agencies, will serve him well in this position, if confirmed.

“Before closing, I will respond to allegations from my Democratic colleagues that this position is not legally vacant due to President Trump’s termination of previous Inspectors General. The Senate Armed Services, Small Business, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, just to name a few, have all considered and advanced Inspector General nominee positions that were also vacant. Mr. Bell has successfully met the Finance Committee’s rigorous vetting standard and now deserves to likewise be considered by this Committee.

“Thank you again to our nominees for their time today.”