Larson Takes Republicans to Task as Musk’s ‘DOGE’ Sets Its Sights on Social Security

“But for God's sake, we owe it to the American people to say — it's the United States Congress's responsibility, not someone outside of Congress, given a task to find $2 trillion,” said Larson. “Why does that ring a bell? Oh, that's kind of consistent with the tax cut that took place in 2017 and that sunsets in 2025 and how much money we need.  I guess that's what we're applauding [Elon Musk] for. Any time you can find fraud, abuse, and neglect, we ought to deal with it, but how you find it, and what you authorize people to do, and the lack of accountability, is not what a democracy and a republic is all about. That's our concern.” 

Following media reports that the ‘DOGE’ has its sights set on the Social Security Administration (SSA), every Democrat on the House Ways and Means committee wrote to Acting SSA Commissioner Michelle King to find out if anyone on Mr. Musk’s team has been granted access to the agency’s systems, and how their actions could impact customer service and SSA’s ability to serve the nearly 70 million Americans who are Social Security beneficiaries.   

See a full transcript of his remarks below: 

Rep. Larson: “Listen, I think we've said it very clearly on this side. We're as much as opposed to the fraud and abuse that has taken place and want to make sure that we get at it. But can you imagine if it wasn't Mr. Musk, that we appointed David Rubenstein — Mr. Trump just got rid of to say, you know, we're putting you in charge of finding $2 trillion. 

“Well, I don't know, people are going to want to look at my credentials and see what I have. Don't worry, we're going to put you outside of the governmental process. You won't have to go through Senate confirmation. You will not have to disclose where your money is. In fact, you won't even have to disclose any of your governmental contracts. I'm sure you guys will be silent. I'm sure you wouldn't have said a word. You would just say, yes, God, anything that he could possibly find in these agencies and oh look what we found over here, and how abhorrent that is.  

“That clearly justifies the fact that it's the billionaire class that we need running this country. There is no need for a United States Congress and individuals charged with the responsibility by their constituents. We defer to people of wealth because, well, they wouldn't have got there if they weren't smart and they wouldn't have had that money, but what has that resulted in? What are the real facts?  

“Any fraud, waste, or abuse in any governmental program should be gone after. But how about the majority of people, including in your District where more than 171,000 people are Social Security recipients? Are they all fraudulent, or are they all getting fraudulent claims? Are the 17,000 disabled workers, the 3, 800 widows, the $329 million your District receives monthly just for Social Security — is that fraud?” 

Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11): “So that's absurd to equate what I'm saying with the benefits that the — I don't know if it's 171,000 — your number. I don't know that offhand, but we're talking about benefits. 

We're talking about — I'm sure you know that, so I'll take that, but we're talking about benefits that are going to individuals who should not be receiving it, so that those who should be will have additional dollars available, so that Social Security doesn't go insolvent for so long.” 

Rep. Larson: “We haven't, as a Congress, enhanced Social Security in over 50 years. Which means we haven't enhanced the administration. Where were all these questions brought to SSA prior to that, etc.? And it took Mr. Musk — it took a billionaire to find this out. I don't think so. I think it's neglect on the part of Congress, both sides. 

“But for God's sake, we owe it to the American people to say — it's the United States Congress's responsibility, not someone outside of Congress, given a task to find $2 trillion. Why does that ring a bell? Oh, that's kind of consistent with the tax cut that took place in 2017 and that sunsets in 2025 and how much money we need. So, I guess that's what we're applauding him for, but any time you can find fraud, abuse, and neglect, we ought to deal with it, but how you find it, and what you authorize people to do, and the lack of accountability, is not what a democracy and a republic is all about. That's our concern.”