VIDEO: Stansbury, Neguse, Larson, Johnson Fight to Protect Social Security  

July 30, 2025
Press Release

Legislation would restore trust in the Social Security Administration in the face of DOGE cuts 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) with Assistant LeaderJoe Neguse (CO-02),Representative John B. Larson (CT-01), and RepresentativeJulie Johnson (TX-32) introduced the Hands Off Our Social Security Act, new legislation to protect the integrity and accessibility of the Social Security Administration (SSA). 
Endorsed by Social Security Works, the bill is a direct response cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash SSA staffing, close field offices, and mine beneficiaries’ personal data. It also responds to recent Supreme Court rulings allowing DOGE to expanded access to Social Security information. 
“Social Security is not a luxury—it’s a promise that Americans earn through hard work,” said Rep. Stansbury. “This bill ensures that promise is kept, by stopping efforts to gut the system, privatize it, or make it harder for people to get help. People who have paid into the system deserve benefits they can count on, privacy that’s respected, and real people to help when they need support. I’ve hosted over 20 town halls this year, and not one constituent has asked for cuts to their earned benefits. This bill restores the level of service Americans could rely on before Trump’s cuts took effect.” 
“To save Social Security, we must continue to use every tool available to push back against Donald Trump’s scheme to gut this vital and hard-earned lifeline for seniors and people with disabilities. That’s why I’m proud to join Representatives Stansbury, Larson, and Johnson in introducing the Hands Off Our Social Security Act, a bill that stands up for American taxpayers and protects the integrity and accessibility of the Social Security Administration,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. 
“The Trump Administration is trying to dismantle Social Security from within so they can slash and privatize seniors’ hard-earned benefits,” said Rep. Larson. “I am proud to take a stand with Rep. Stansbury and our colleagues today to tell them to take their hands off Social Security. Our bill will block the President and his ‘DOGE’ from moving forward with their plans to close field offices, undermine customer service at the Social Security Administration, and rummage through your personal records. Democrats are united around protecting Social Security, not cutting it, so the more than 70 million Americans who rely on the benefits they earned can keep up with rising expenses.” 
 
The Hands Off Our Social Security Act would: 
  • Protect benefits from unauthorized tampering, delays, or changes 
  • Block privatization of Social Security services or administration 
  • Enforce strict privacy protections for beneficiary data 
  • Prohibit SSA staffing cuts without Congressional approval 
  • Prevent field office closures without an impact report and consent from Congress 
  • Ensure communication access, maintaining phone and in-person services as core options 
  • Require annual GAO audits on staffing, operations, and compliance 
 
Millions of Americans—including seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals —depend on Social Security for stability.  
The bill is designed to protect those individuals from being harmed by executive overreach, underfunding, or political games.  
Across New Mexico, 476,894 residents rely on Social Security benefits, with nearly 35% of beneficiaries in the 1st Congressional District alone. 
 
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Issues:Health Care