Davis Opening Statement at Joint Social Security and Worker & Family Support Subcommittee Hearing with Commissioner of Social Security, Frank J. Bisignano
(As prepared for delivery)
Over 75 million Americans depend on monthly Social Security Administration payments. SSA’s work is vital to all Americans -- those receiving benefits, those earning security for the future, and those whose loved ones live with dignity because of Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (or SSI). Those benefits are even more crucial now with inflation at its highest level since we recovered from the pandemic. I appreciate the Commissioner joining us today.
Commissioner, I hope today can be the start of telling Congress and the public the whole truth, starting with being fully transparent about the challenges SSA faces in the wake of massive staff cuts, an exodus of experienced staff, and repeated credible reports that the Trump Administration misused the public trust. Most recently, a whistleblower revealed an SSA plan to declare U.S. citizens “dead” for political gain.
SSA statements about customer service do not always appear to reflect the reality Americans experience. Press releases claiming dramatic improvement in SSA customer service - particularly on the 800 number - conflict with reports from AARP and our constituents. People across the country report waiting in long lines at Social Security offices or being turned away and told to make appointments, only to discover no appointments are available.
Similarly, it seems misleading to claim a “zero” call wait time for seniors that waited hours or days for a call back, or to praise short call wait times for people whose problems are not resolved. I hear repeatedly that people must call back over and over to finally speak to someone who can answer their questions because the 800 number forwarded them to staff outside of their understaffed local offices, staff who cannot answer individual-case questions.
So I ask you, Mr. Commissioner, to provide accurate and clear information so we can work together to make sure you have the qualified staff you need to deliver benefits.
As Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Worker and Family support, I have a special responsibility to speak up for SSI recipients, many of whom live with severe mental and physical disabilities. Beneficiaries are justifiably frightened that the Administration proposed to cut benefits for over 400,000 of the poorest recipients. That proposal should be formally rescinded, not left lingering to frighten vulnerable people.
I also hope you will provide clear timelines for revising the adult and child Medical Listings of Impairments for Sickle Cell Disease based on the National Academy of Sciences’ final report. When we talked last year, you said you were waiting for the report. It was published months ago, and it confirms that the current SSA process is excluding some families from help they need. For example, SSA data indicate that three-quarters of all children with severe Sickle Cell Disease get initially denied SSI disability upon application under these criteria. These families need help now.
Commissioner, thank you for joining us today. You have a lot of important work to do, and we want to help you get it right.
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