PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Senator Ron Wyden has joined a group of Democrats in raising concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency’s access to sensitive Social Security Administration data.
In a letter sent Wednesday to Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek, the group of senators demanded answers about DOGE’s activity within the agency–including whether Dudek has disclosed sensitive financial information to any unauthorized individuals outside of the SSA.
Whether DOGE members have access to SSA data, and steps being taken to prevent DOGE from stopping Social Security payments or using personally identifiable information held by the agency for
The letter, signed by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), also expressed concern about former Acting Social Security Commissioner Michelle King’s resignation after DOGE requested access to sensitive data, according to The Associated Press.
“We write to express deep concern regarding disturbing reports that the president replaced SSA Acting Commissioner Michelle King for refusing to provide Elon Musk and DOGE access to the agency’s most sensitive data without proper documentation, and that you have provided DOGE unfettered access,” senators wrote in a letter.
“Providing access to personally identifiable information on hundreds of millions of Americans stored by SSA to DOGE employees without a legitimate reason, and in apparent disregard for privacy laws, regulations, and procedures, raises serious concerns about the security of that data and what DOGE plans to do with it.”
The senators also attempted to debunk claims made online by White House adviser Elon Musk about people over the age of 150 receiving Social Security benefits.
“Over the weekend, Elon Musk repeatedly posted and reposted a false claim that millions of people over the age of 150 receive benefits.
These claims are so easily disproven, and have been repeatedly, that there is no justification for requiring complete access to all data housed at SSA,” the senators continued.
According to the Associated Press, while improper Social Security payments have been made, including to deceased individuals, the number of such instances is “overstated and misrepresents Social Security data.”
