Larson: Even Trump-Musk's Hand-Picked Commissioner Knows ‘DOGE’ is Up to No Good
East Hartford, CT – Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after Acting Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Dudek’s comments that ‘DOGE’ is making decisions about the agency’s future without an understanding of how the agency works were reported in the Washington Post.
“Today’s reporting is further insight into Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s attempt to weaken the Social Security Administration and their operations, with the ultimate goal of seeking to privatize wherever they can,” said Larson. “Acting Commissioner Dudek’s comments are all the more reason why we must bring Musk, his ‘DOGE,’ and Mr. Dudek before the Ways and Means Committee in Congress for a public hearing to get to the truth of their real agenda. These cuts could lead to the disruption, delay, and denial of Americans’ hard-earned benefits, putting our seniors at risk of missing Social Security payments for the first time in the program’s history. Democrats will continue to speak up to protect Social Security from these cuts and demand answers from the Trump Administration and their unaccountable ‘DOGE.’ We need at least three of our Republican colleagues to stand with us and put an end to this Trump-Musk scheme to gut Social Security, all so they can pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent.”
This week, Rep. Larson introduced three bills with House Democrats in response to DOGE’s reckless efforts to gut Social Security. Their plan would stop the closure of field offices, protect beneficiaries’ sensitive data, and compel the Trump Administration to come clean to Congress on their plans at SSA. He led 152 Democrats in a letter urging Commissioner Dudek to halt these cuts and the closure of Social Security offices that are occurring on his watch. As Ranking Member of the Social Security Subcommittee, he has requested an immediate hearing on 'DOGE’ activities at SSA.