[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H1177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONCERNING STATE OF SERVICE AT SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

  (Mr. LATIMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great concern about the 
current state of service in the Social Security Administration.
  Last year, the so-called department of governmental elimination, 
DOGE, diminished the agency's workforce, forcing thousands of employees 
to quit or be fired. This has left inexperienced staff to handle rising 
workloads and call volumes with minimal training.
  The Social Security Administration has also created new roadblocks to 
service in the name of efficiency and fraud prevention, requiring 
seniors and people with disabilities to complete some transactions in 
person or online, rather than by phone.
  Yet, reduced staffing levels at field offices have made it more 
difficult to schedule a timely appointment.
  In my district, the Social Security Administration closed the White 
Plains hearing office, forcing constituents in Westchester to travel 
farther distances at a greater expense to receive in-person service.
  I implore this body to hold the Social Security Administration 
accountable and ensure that our constituents receive good, convenient, 
quality service.
  We must immediately provide more funding and reinstate positions that 
were lost. We will be held accountable by the voters if we fail this 
task.

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