Larson Statement on Social Security Administration Backing Off Plans to Cut Phone Services

Image April 9, 2025 Press Release Washington, D.C. - Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the Social Security Administration (SSA) pared back plans to cut phone services. “Donald Trump and Elon Musk have been coming after Social Security to pay for new tax breaks for the wealthy, but the American people are speaking up to tell them, ‘Hands off!'” said Larson. “While this news is a win for the 10,000 Baby Boomers a day who become eligible for Social Security, we must continue to vociferously hold Trump, Musk, and their ‘DOGE’ accountable for all the chaos, confusion, and damage they have created. The agency has not published any details about how they will decide who is ineligible to apply for benefits or change their direct deposit over the phone. Elon Musk and Donald Trump will not stop trying to dismantle the Social Security Administration as they work to slash benefits and privatize the system. Under their leadership, the Social Security website is crashing and wait times are skyrocketing, as they gut the SSA workforce and close field and hearing offices. Elon Musk is still after $2 trillion in cuts to pay for more tax breaks for the wealthy, and Social Security is still his ‘key target.’ Democrats will not back down from this fight to defend Americans’ hard-earned benefits from these attacks.” After these planned cuts first came to light, Members of Congress and Americans from across the country spoke out in opposition. When SSA announced they would delay plans to cut phone services for retired worker benefit claims or direct deposit changes until April 14 th , Ranking Member Larson called for them to scrap their plans altogether. Issues : Congressman Larson's Committees Social Security