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Members press HUD acting IG on DOGE access to HUD systems and data-security safeguards
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Summary
Members asked how a team referred to as "DOGE" gained access to HUD systems and who authorized that access; Acting Inspector General Steven M. Begg said he did not know the specific authorizations and pointed to the Privacy Act and HUD information-security controls.
Republican and Democratic members of the House Financial Services Subcommittee questioned Acting HUD Inspector General Steven M. Begg about a departmental "DOGE" team that, witnesses and members said, has been assigned to HUD and has "gained access" to HUD systems and enforcement records.
Multiple members raised concerns that the DOGE team, identified in questioning as a temporary entity associated with Elon Musk, had access to HUD enforcement databases that contain personally identifiable information, including Social Security numbers, medical details and addresses of survivors of domestic violence. Begg said that such data are protected under the Privacy Act and that HUD has an information security program overseen by the chief information officer; his office conducts annual reviews of that program. "That's the primary, legal control in place," Begg said of the Privacy Act.
Members pressed Begg about how DOGE staff obtained system access and who authorized it. Begg said he did not know the specific authorizations or dates and that access would require authorizations from HUD system owners and would likely be granted through normal assignment of personnel as HUD employees. He said OIG "has not reviewed" which authorizations each DOGE staffer has been granted and had not examined whether the grants of authority adhered to federal law.
Why it matters: Several members told the committee that they were alarmed by the possibility that a private-team and an unelected, unvetted temporary employee could exercise wide operational authority over HUD functions and data. Rep. Green argued that "temporary employee" Doge leadership should testify before the committee; Rep. Waters, Rep. Williams and others emphasized the need for oversight and urged the department to explain access and authority.
Begg said the OIG is "monitoring the situation" and is tracking litigation that relates to the DOGE team's actions. He said his office is communicating with HUD leadership "regularly and consistently" about planned reductions in departmental capacity and access issues and that it will monitor any impacts to program administration.
Ending: Begg told members the OIG will continue to monitor the litigation and the department’s administration of access controls and will report concerns to HUD leadership; he encouraged the committee to coordinate oversight questions with HUD and the department's CIO.
