Committee reports H.Res.195 adversely after prolonged debate on DOGE, Social Security operations and office closures

The House Ways and Means Committee considered H.Res.195, a resolution of inquiry seeking records and explanations about Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) actions affecting the Social Security Administration (SSA), and voted to report the resolution adversely to the House, 24–18.

Democrats argued the resolution seeks basic oversight information—what data DOGE accessed, whether screenshots or downloads were taken, and what steps were taken before plans to close field and hearing offices or cut staff. “The richest man in the world is going after Social Security,” Representative Nanette Sanchez said in support of the inquiry, adding constituents were confused and afraid about the safety of personal data and the reliability of benefit delivery.

Members on the Republican side defended the administration’s efficiency effort and repeatedly said President Trump and agency leadership had pledged not to cut benefits, while contending some criticisms were politically motivated. Committee Republicans also cited agency statements that DOGE staff had limited read-only access in certain systems and that legal penalties apply if personnel violate confidentiality rules.

The committee’s majority moved to report H.Res.195 adversely. The clerk’s tally recorded 24 yeses and 18 noes on that motion; the measure was ordered unfavorably reported. Committee debate touched on field-office closures in specific localities, long telephone wait times for SSA’s toll-free line, and a broader partisan disagreement over whether the administration’s actions amount to necessary efficiency reforms or a first step toward privatization.