Amid growing reports of office closures, long wait times, and overwhelmed phone lines at the Social Security Administration, Senator Chuck Schumer is calling out a wave of cuts he says are creating chaos for millions of Americans. His new bill—the Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act—seeks to reverse recent staff reductions and restore funding to the SSA.
Schumer blames the cuts on former President Donald Trump and a shadowy entity called DOGE, which he says is dismantling the Social Security system from within.
What would Schumer’s bill do?
Schumer’s legislation, expected to be introduced in September, aims to fix staffing shortfalls and restore public access to essential services. The bill would:
- Prevent field office closures, and require congressional approval for any shutdowns
- Hire thousands of SSA workers to reduce long wait times and call center backups
- Invest $5 billion annually in technology upgrades, staff expansion, and claim processing
- Protect beneficiaries’ data, blocking political or unauthorized access
- Limit benefit clawbacks, preventing unfair payment reductions caused by admin errors
“This isn’t just about websites crashing,” Schumer said. “It’s about seniors being unable to speak to anyone, losing benefits, and being left in the dark.”
What is DOGE?
DOGE has become a controversial name tied to administrative decisions made under Trump’s direction. Although not publicly defined, Schumer says DOGE has already fired thousands of Social Security workers, outsourced core services, and created confusion around how benefits are processed.
Meanwhile, some former Trump officials have publicly suggested privatizing Social Security. One even described the program as a “Ponzi scheme.” Another stated that missed payments were “no big deal.”
“This is not a glitch. It’s sabotage,” Schumer warned. “And we’re going to stop it before it gets worse.”
Nationwide effects: Millions in limbo
Social Security supports more than 67 million Americans each month. But service cuts are creating bottlenecks at every level.
For example:
- Field offices have lost up to 30% of staff in some regions
- Seniors report 2–3 hour phone waits, often ending in dropped calls
- In-person services have declined sharply due to lack of staff
- Recipients are missing or delaying benefits because of website outages
Furthermore, watchdogs say DOGE is operating with limited transparency. SSA workers claim they were ordered to close local offices without notifying the public or offering alternatives.
Union leaders and lawmakers speak out
SSA employees and labor leaders say morale has hit a record low. Many workers have left federal service due to unclear policy shifts, hiring freezes, and automation that doesn’t work.
“We began 2025 already short-staffed. DOGE’s actions made things worse,” said Shawn Halloran, President of AFGE Local 3342. “We’re doing more with less, and the public is paying the price.”
In Congress, lawmakers are backing Schumer’s plan to stabilize SSA services and restore the original mission of Social Security.
“This program is essential. It’s not optional,” said Rep. Josh Riley. “We’ve got seniors waiting months for help. That’s unacceptable.”
What happens next?
Schumer’s bill will go before the Senate in September. Advocates hope it will pass before service levels degrade further.
If approved, the bill would mark the largest investment in the SSA in more than a decade. The legislation would restore office staffing, strengthen data protections, and make it easier for seniors to get the help they need.
“Social Security is a promise,” Schumer said. “Right now, that promise is being broken. We need to fix it—and that’s what this bill does.”
This content is brought to you by the FingerLakes1.com Team. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here.