Overview

• Frank Bisignano, President Trump's nominee to lead the Social Security Administration, testified before the Senate Finance Committee, denying any plans to privatize the agency and emphasizing his commitment to timely benefit payments.
• The SSA has been significantly affected by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reforms, which include cutting 7,000 jobs, closing field offices, and reducing phone-based services, leading to widespread service disruptions.
• A federal judge has temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing sensitive Social Security data, citing privacy concerns and a lack of evidence supporting fraud claims.
• Democratic senators pressed Bisignano on whether the Trump administration's actions, including DOGE's cost-cutting measures, are aimed at undermining Social Security to justify privatization or benefit reductions.
• Bisignano pledged to review DOGE's actions at the SSA, improve efficiency, and protect data privacy, while acknowledging the challenges posed by staffing cuts and operational changes.