Social Security chief faces House hearing after 7,000 job cuts
What's new: Frank Bisignano plans to defend shorter phone waits and higher field-office service as lawmakers question staffing and privacy.
Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano is set to face a House Ways and Means subcommittee on Wednesday as lawmakers press him on the agency’s customer service, benefit payments and data protection after months of turmoil. Bisignano argues the agency has cut phone wait times by 75%, fixed website problems and served 50% more people under his leadership. But critics say the gains rely on temporary staff shifts, heavier use of online tools and workforce cuts that could create longer-term risks. The Social Security Administration shed 7,000 workers early in the Trump administration, while about 2,000 employees were later reassigned into direct-service roles. The agency’s inspector general has reported continuing errors in benefits and claims processing, even as it cited progress on phone service and disability technology.