Pingree demands Dudek resign over Maine contract issues

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine has called for the resignation of Leland Dudek, the acting head of the Social Security Administration (SSA). She accuses him of engaging in political retaliation that affected Maine's welfare. Recently, the SSA canceled contracts with Maine’s health department. These contracts helped parents obtain Social Security numbers for their newborns at hospitals. The majority of newborns in the U.S. receive their Social Security numbers this way. The contracts were quickly reinstated after concerns arose that their cancellation was in retaliation against Maine Governor Janet Mills. Governor Mills had previously challenged President Donald Trump during a White House meeting. Dudek admitted to being unhappy with Mills' actions but claimed the contract cancellation was a mistake due to his misunderstanding. He stated that he did not intend for the action to be politically motivated. However, he did express dissatisfaction with Governor Mills' conduct during her meeting with the President. Pingree responded sharply, stating that the SSA plays a crucial role in people's lives. She described Dudek's actions as "outrageous" and called for his immediate resignation. She noted that no other state faced similar contract cancellations and highlighted a pattern of retaliation against Maine since Governor Mills stood up to the President. Pingree pointed to other instances that suggest Maine has been targeted, including the cancellation of a grant for Maine fisheries and delays in funding for the University of Maine System. She emphasized that the confusion and turmoil caused by these decisions are unacceptable.