Larson, Stansbury, Neguse, and Johnson Introduce Bill to Restore Trust in the Social Security Administration and Protect Benefits
East Hartford, CT - Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) announced the introduction of the Hands Off Our Social Security Act with Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02) and Rep. Julie Johnson (TX-32). The Trump Administration and ‘DOGE’ have continuously worked to undermine Social Security, cutting 7,000 employees and allowing Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ cronies access to Americans’ private information. The Hands Off Our Social Security Act is a direct response to these reckless actions and will protect Americans’ hard-earned benefits and their data.
Watch Reps. Larson and Stansbury announce the Hands Off Our Social Security Act on the House floor.
“The Trump Administration is trying to dismantle Social Security from within so they can slash and privatize seniors’ hard-earned benefits,” said Larson. “I am proud to take a stand with Rep. Stansbury and our colleagues today to tell them to take their hands off Social Security. Our bill will block the President and his ‘DOGE’ from moving forward with their plans to close field offices, undermine customer service at the Social Security Administration, and rummage through your personal records. Democrats are united around protecting Social Security, not cutting it, so the more than 70 million Americans who rely on the benefits they earned can keep up with rising expenses.”
“Social Security is not a luxury—it’s a promise that Americans earn through hard work,” said Stansbury. “This bill ensures that promise is kept, by stopping efforts to gut the system, privatize it, or make it harder for people to get help. People who have paid into the system deserve benefits they can count on, privacy that’s respected, and real people to help when they need support. I’ve hosted over 20 town halls this year, and not one constituent has asked for cuts to their earned benefits. This bill restores the level of service Americans could rely on before Trump’s cuts took effect.”
“To save Social Security, we must continue to use every tool available to push back against Donald Trump’s scheme to gut this vital and hard-earned lifeline for seniors and people with disabilities. That’s why I’m proud to join Representatives Stansbury, Larson, and Johnson in introducing the Hands Off Our Social Security Act, a bill that stands up for American taxpayers and protects the integrity and accessibility of the Social Security Administration,” said Neguse.
The Hands Off Our Social Security Act would:
Protect benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays, or changes
Block privatization of Social Security services or administration
Enforce strict privacy protections for beneficiary data
Prohibit SSA staffing cuts without Congressional approval
Prevent field office closures without an impact report and consent from Congress
Ensure communication access, maintaining phone and in-person services as core options
Require annual GAO audits on staffing, operations, and compliance
Just this week, the Social Security Administration announced plans to slash phone services for seniors, requiring millions of seniors to come to field offices in-person to continue to receive their benefits before ultimately backing down due to public pressure. President Trump’s own Treasury Secretary admitted the Trump Administration is attempting to privatize Social Security.
The Hands Off Our Social Security Act is endorsed by Social Security Works. Full bill text is available HERE.