Neal, Larson Launch Inquiry with Ways and Means Democrats Demanding Trump Hand Over Information About 'DOGE' Data Meddling at Social Security
Washington, D.C. – Today, following a whistleblower report that revealed ‘DOGE’ copied sensitive information, including names, Social Security numbers, and addresses, to a vulnerable cloud, Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01) with Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced a Resolution of Inquiry and every Ways and Means Democrat to compel answers from the Trump Administration. At Tuesday’s joint subcommittee hearing, Chair Ron Estes declined Rep. Larson’s request for a hearing, even though last Congress, Republicans pursued a multi-year, fruitless inquiry into Hunter Biden.
“DOGE lackeys have put their fingerprints all over Americans’ data, copying a key Social Security database onto a vulnerable cloud environment and Republicans have been silent,” Ranking Member Richard E. Neal said. “The stakes are too high to ignore the claims made by the whistleblower, Charles Borges, former Chief Data Officer at the Social Security Administration. That’s why Ways and Means Democrats are introducing a Resolution of Inquiry to get to the bottom of the mess DOGE has made at SSA. There is no greater bulldog to have in this fight to protect Social Security than Ranking Member Larson, and under his leadership, we will follow the truth, get answers for the people, and ensure their data is secure from what Mr. Borges warned is the Trump Administration’s “gross mismanagement.” The question remains whether Republicans will join us and give the American people the same fervor they brought to the whistleblower investigation last Congress.”
“Everyone should be able to trust their information is safe and secure with their government, but the Trump Administration has given Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ minions unfettered access to confidential records at Social Security,” said Rep. Larson. “After a brave whistleblower came forward about ‘DOGE’ copying Americans’ Social Security data to a vulnerable cloud server, we cannot sit by as your Social Security numbers, names, and addresses remain at risk. Congress must act now to protect Americans’ privacy and restore trust in the Social Security Administration. After their endless pursuit of Hunter Biden, it is beyond disappointing to see the Republican majority brush off these concerns and deny our requests for a hearing. We cannot and will not wait for them to come to their senses. Today, Democrats are launching an inquiry into ‘DOGE’ access to your data and what this administration knows. I will not rest until we get the answers our constituents deserve.”
Larson and Neal have been sounding the alarm for months about ‘DOGE’ plans to rummage through private data and introduced legislation in March to block access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, income history, and medical records.
Rep. Larson wrote in June to Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith demanding an urgent hearing on his data privacy bill. On Tuesday, Rep. Larson demanded a hearing with Social Security Administration whistleblower Charles Borges, something Social Security Subcommittee Chair Ron Estes would not commit to.
In March, Ways and Means Republicans blocked Rep. Larson’s Resolution of Inquiry aimed at providing answers about the Trump Administration’s plans to cut staff and phone service at Social Security. House Republicans then voted to change the rules, blocking Resolutions of Inquiry from coming to the House Floor for a vote.
Full text of the Resolution of Inquiry is available HERE. A one-pager is available HERE.
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