Press Release: 5/6/2025
On Senate Floor, Warren Stands Up for Seniors, Fights Back Against Trump Social Security Nominee
“Frank Bisignano will rubber-stamp Trump and Musk's attack [on Social Security]...He’ll let them keep slashing services and threatening benefits. That will hurt people everywhere.”
Video of Floor Speech (YouTube)
Washington, D.C. — Ahead of the Senate vote to confirm Frank Bisignano as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) took to the Senate floor in opposition, warning that he will “rubber-stamp Trump and Musk's attack” on Social Security.
Senator Warren defended Social Security, saying it is “more than just a retirement program — it’s insurance.”
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk want to rip that protection away. Two people who don’t have the slightest clue how much Social Security means to families are threatening Americans’ benefits in order to pay for giant tax cuts for billionaires,” said Senator Warren.
Senator Warren also read stories from concerned Social Security recipients and their families into the Congressional record. She highlighted stories of people worried they won’t be able to make rent, pay for life-saving medical treatment, or pay for groceries, due to Trump and Musk’s attacks on Social Security.
“Frank Bisignano has made clear he won’t stop the chaos and harm. That’s wrong — and on behalf of every single American who counts on Social Security, I’m voting no,” Warren concluded.
Transcript: Floor Speech Opposing the Confirmation of Frank Bisignano
U.S. Senate Floor
May 5, 2025
As Prepared for Delivery
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Donald Trump and Elon Musk are taking a chainsaw to Social Security.
For nearly a century, Social Security has been there for tens of millions of Americans. But Trump and Musk are threatening to tear that all down. They’re firing staff. Plotting to close down offices. Making it harder for people to get help over the phone.
Trump’s pick to head up Social Security, Frank Bisignano, will rubber-stamp Trump and Musk's attack. He’ll let them keep slashing services and threatening benefits. That will hurt people everywhere — from seniors who count on their monthly checks right now, to the parents of kids with a disability supported by Social Security, to every American paying into the program now for later down the line.
And Social Security is more than just a retirement program — it’s insurance. If you’re 30 years old and get in an accident and become disabled, Social Security’s got you covered. If you have a child and something happens to you, that kid will get Social Security benefits.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk want to rip that protection away. Two people who don’t have the slightest clue how much Social Security means to families are threatening Americans’ benefits in order to pay for giant tax cuts for billionaires.
And since they can’t begin to imagine what that means for working people, let’s tell them.
A few weeks ago, I posted a video explaining what Trump and Musk were doing to Social Security. The stories came flooding in. Here are just a few:
“I'm on Social Security disability — it's about 95% of my total income. Every month since Trump took office this year, I've worried about whether or not my [Social Security] payment will come as usual.”
“I've had Medicare medication coverage for around 20 years, and all of [a] sudden, with Musk's appearance, I've had to fight to keep it.”
“I’ve been getting my Social Security check with zero problems for 15 years. Last night, I was so worried about me not getting a check, I stayed up to the early morning hours, to make sure it was in my account. Thanks to Trump and Musk, I worry if I will be able to pay my rent every month. Since Trump has been in office, it’s been extremely stressful.”
“We have a son born with Down syndrome and we are now retired, depending on our Social Security for the three of us — for food, utilities, clothing, medical services, things that we worked all our lives for, only to have billionaires come in and take what little we have to live on away.”
“I'm about to turn 65 and have had a nightmare of a time trying to even talk to a real human being at the Social Security office. It's been just a series of dead-ends and mistakes piled atop confusion.”
“I had cancer at 52 years old — stage 4 uterine cancer. I spent more than a year fighting cancer. I am currently 66 years old and fighting the chronic pain from the chemicals they used to treat the cancer. I rely on my Social Security to survive. What am I going to do?”
“I'm 71 years old and work part-time as a data technician in dementia research, so my [Social Security benefits] supplement my income. I'm anxious that eventually I, too, will have my Social Security check delayed or stopped altogether.”
“We all need Social Security to survive, as a nation. I myself have been having it drawn out of my paychecks for over 40 years but haven't retired yet and will need it shortly. My only hope is that it is still there when I need it. We earned that right to collect this money and [will] not let a bunch of billionaires take it from us.”
“I have worked since I was 16 years old and now I'm 71 but I still work part-time. It goes without saying that I need my [Social Security] benefits to survive and since Trump and Musk took over I don't know from one month to the next what might happen. So scary now!”
“I only get $25,000 yearly from Social Security, and it constitutes more than half of my income. I have a small pension from the company where I worked for 40 years. If I lose my Social Security, I'll have to support myself and my sister [who cannot work]...I don't have much in savings due to continuing medical expenses over the years. [We] need my Social Security to survive.”
“I'm a [Social Security] employee and I just want to say thank you for standing up for the programs SSA runs and the beneficiaries. It is true it's been becoming harder for people to access their benefits but also for other services such as getting their Social Security card replaced. There [are] some days where people are waiting for 8 hours just to talk to a customer service representative or they don't even get the call back and have to call again the next day to have an issue resolved — that’s if they have the time the next day.”
“I went to [a Social Security] office yesterday because I need[ed] to change my direct deposit for my monthly benefits. The doors were locked…all the booths were shuttered. Sign on the door said "by appointment only" and there was a number to call, which I did. The automated system put me on hold, and the recording said 15 minute wait, and after time passed, the recording said I would be helped as soon as possible, then said they were receiving higher than normal call volumes… after several rings, the recording said … leave [a] message [which I did] and someone will return your call, but that hasn't happened yet. As I sat outside that office, another person walked up and said he heard that we have to go into the office in person to show our I.D. or lose our benefits — then realized the door was locked… Now I am very concerned that I might not get my benefits in the future…”.
So, Trump and Musk, that is what your attack on Social Security means for Americans — more problems, and fewer people to fix them. Hours on the phone or waiting in line at an office trying to get help. All to get benefits they’ve paid into their entire working lives. That’s money they’ve earned and are owed.
Frank Bisignano has made clear he won’t stop the chaos and harm. That’s wrong — and on behalf of every single American who counts on Social Security, I’m voting no. I encourage my colleagues to do the same.