ICYMI: Larson Demands Answers, Republicans Vote to Shield Trump and Musk’s ‘DOGE’ from Accountability
East Hartford, CT – This week, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) demanded answers from President Trump and unelected billionaire Elon Musk in the Ways and Means Committee. Every Republican voted to block Ranking Member Larson’s Resolution of Inquiry compelling President Trump to disclose information to Congress about ‘DOGE’ activity at the Social Security Administration, including their plans to close offices or layoff staff.
During the markup, the Washington Post reported that Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ was planning on ending many of the phone services elderly and disabled Americans rely on at the Social Security Administration. Following pushback from Larson and Ways and Means Democrats, the plan was withdrawn.
“That is veteran Democratic Congressman John Larson of Connecticut, just ripping the bark off today about Social Security and what Republicans are really doing here.”
“Part of the issue is a lack of transparency. Republicans prevented Musk from having to testify to the House Ways and Means Committee, and yesterday, Democratic Congressman John Larson was not having it”
“Elon Musk skipped a House Ways and Means Committee hearing yesterday. The Republican chair of the committee still lauded Musk’s accomplishments at the top, calling the hearing ’just sand in the gears,’ and he also didn’t explain why Musk was not present. So, here is how one lawmaker, Democratic Congressman John Larson responded.”
“Michelle, during a Congressional hearing today, you had Congressman John Larson just blasting his Republican colleagues for not being willing to hold the President, to hold Musk accountable.”
“’Well, there were some fireworks on Capitol Hill during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting when Democratic Congressman John Larson confronted Republicans about preventing Elon Musk from testifying about his government cutbacks.”
“Lawmakers were debating two resolutions backed by Democrats about DOGE’s [access] to sensitive taxpayer information as well as the Social Security Administration, and as you heard, Elon Musk was not in attendance.”
“Musk is running around on X saying, and everywhere else saying that there is waste and fraud and cheating in Social Security and Medicaid. Okay Congressman Larson said: ‘Come on in and tell us.’”
"Representative John Larson of Connecticut accused Republicans on the powerful budget writing committee of essentially declaring that “you will do whatever Elon Musk and Donald Trump tell you to do,” tapping the table at the end of the sentence, his voice tinged with rage."
“If he’s so great, if these plans and all the fraud and abuse that he’s found are so eminent, why isn’t he here explaining it?” Larson demanded of Republicans. “You know why. Because he wants to privatize Social Security.”
"Democratic U.S. Representative John Larson slammed Elon Musk on Wednesday for skipping a House Ways and Means Committee hearing about DOGE, accusing him of attempting to privatize Social Security."
"Rep. John Larson (D-CT) lost his cool during a Wednesday meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee and raged at his Republican colleagues for refusing to bring Elon Musk before the committee to discuss his work with DOGE."
"The epic fist-pounding rant unleashed by Rep. John Larson (D-CT) left MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow celebrating the explosive takedown of DOGE head Elon Musk’s efforts to dismantle Social Security – and the surprising result."
"He looks at that in terms of numbers and not the people that it impacts," said Larson, who represents Connecticut's 1st congressional district and serves as the top Democrat on the U.S. House's Social Security subcommittee. "It's the No. 1 anti-poverty program for the elderly, and it's the No. 1 anti-poverty program for children."
“Where’s Elon Musk?” Larson demanded. “I’m sure he’s a genius and a very credible person because of the wealth he’s accumulated, but that does not put him above the law or the responsibility to come before this committee and this Congress.”