Horsford on DOGE Misuse of Social Security Data: Not surprising, but Shocking Nonetheless

LAS VEGAS – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) responded today to whistle-blower allegations that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), posted a highly sensitive Social Security database to a vulnerable cloud server, placing the personal information of hundreds of thousands of Americans at risk of being leaked or hacked.

 

Congressman Horsford, who sits on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, led his Democratic colleagues in a Resolution of Inquiry (ROI) on April 10 demanding all documents related to DOGE-driven cuts, closures, and staff reductions at the Social Security Administration.

 

Rather than address Horsford’s concerns and uphold Congressional oversight responsibilities, Speaker Johnson and Congressional Republicans in April paused all ROIs through September 30, 2025.

 

Rep. Horsford released the following statement:

 

“It’s not surprising that the cabal who executed the largest data breach in American history has left the sensitive information they stole vulnerable to cyber criminals,” Rep. Horsford said. “But it’s shocking nevertheless to think that this is happening with the President’s blessing and Congressional Republican capitulation.”

The news comes just weeks after the Elon Musk-run pseudo federal agency which claimed to target wasteful government spending, was found to have squandered nearly $22 billion in taxpayer money.

 

“The time for accountability is right now,” Horsford continued. “I’m calling on Speaker Johnson and Congressional Republicans to stop their obstruction and join Democrats in demanding oversight. This administration has placed my constituents’ most sensitive information in harm’s way – they owe every Nevadan, and every single American, an explanation as to why.”

Rep. Horsford, who is Nevada’s only lawmaker on the House Ways and Means Committee, represents nearly 150,000 Social Security recipients in Nevada’s 4th Congressional District. 

He has been an outspoken critic on the Trump Administration’s efforts to end Social Security as the American people know it.

 

February 25, 2025
Rep. Horsford spoke out when DOGE targeted a Social Security office in Las Vegas for closure without warning local leaders. The administration has since retreated from the planned closure. 

 

Rep. Horsford co-led the Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act, which would prevent the Trump Administration from closing Social Security Administration offices. 

 

Rep. Horsford raised an alarm about Trump administration plans in a leaked memo from SSA Acting Deputy Commissioner Doris Diaz that would significantly hamper operations and prevent people from applying for or receiving benefits. The memo suggested that applicants who cannot verify their identity with the SSA’s online system should visit a local field office in person, ending the opportunity for these individuals to apply for, or update, benefits over the phone. 

 

Rep. Horsford led Ways and Means Committee Democrats in introducing a Resolution of Inquiry (ROI) requesting all documents and copies, records, audio recordings, memorandum, and more to the House of Representatives relating to backdoor benefit cuts that President Trump and Elon Musk enacted against the Social Security Administration, including requirements to apply for benefits in person, closing field and hearing offices, and reductions to SSA staff. 

Video of Rep. Horsford’s comments is available here.

 

Rep. Horsford questioned Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano on Trump administration efforts to close SSA offices and roll back earned benefits. During his questioning, Rep. Horsford asked whether Commissioner Bisignano would work to ensure all field offices are not only fully operational, but also better staffed, more efficient, and equipped to meet the growing needs of the public. Bisignano, who was visibly and audibly noncommittal throughout his testimony, said yes only after Horsford demanded a yes or no answer.

 

Video of Rep. Horsford’s interactions with SSA Commissioner Bisignano is available here.