Senate confirms Frank Bisignano as new Social Security chie
The Senate has confirmed Frank Bisignano as the new head of the social Security governance (SSA), with a vote of 53-47, mainly along party lines. Bisignano, who has a significant background in the financial sector and has been the CEO of Fiserv, emphasizes his commitment to preserving Social Security benefits while aligning with the principles of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). his previous experience includes leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, and he intends to approach his role as an accountable and bipartisan leader.
Despite concerns raised by Democrats regarding his potential ties to DOGE and accusations of affecting agency decisions, Bisignano denied any direct involvement in SSA’s operational management. He aims to address ongoing issues within the agency,including customer service challenges,and highlighted the necessity for better management of service demand. Under his leadership, the SSA recently reversed a policy requiring some beneficiaries to confirm their identities in person, opting for a new telephone-based anti-fraud measure rather. The topic of DOGE’s influence on SSA remains contentious as legal challenges regarding its access to sensitive data continue.
Senate confirms Frank Bisignano as new Social Security chief amid push for reform
The Senate confirmed Frank Bisignano to lead the Social Security Administration on Tuesday, installing him at the helm of the agency as it undergoes changes driven by the Department of Government Efficiency.
A longtime figure in the financial industry, Bisignano has led Fiserv as its chairman since 2020. In a February interview with CNBC, he described himself as aligned with DOGE principles while emphasizing that preserving benefits remains a core priority, echoing comments made by President Donald Trump.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, called on fellow lawmakers Thursday to support the nomination of Bisignano during a speech on the Senate floor.
“I am confident that Mr. Bisignano has the experience needed to lead this important agency,” Crapo said. “He has more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in banks and financial institutions.”
The Senate confirmed Bisignano in a 53-47 vote along party lines on Tuesday afternoon.
Testifying before Congress, Bisignano presented himself as an experienced financial leader with a history of improving large institutions. He previously served at JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup. In his opening statement, Bisignano said he would be an “accountable leader” at SSA and believes “this is a bipartisan job.”
During his confirmation hearing, Bisignano, chief executive of financial technology company Fiserv, said he’d “never thought about privatizing” the Social Security Administration.
The agency has become a focal point in Democratic attacks over DOGE’s cost-cutting measures and alleged impact on Social Security, a program so politically sensitive it’s often called the third rail of politics. DOGE initially planned on paring back telephone access to the agency before reversing course.
Democrats cited concerns about Bisignano’s reported involvement with DOGE prior to his confirmation. They cite whistleblower reports suggesting he influenced agency decisions and personnel appointments, accusing him of compromising the agency’s independence.
Bisignano denied involvement in SSA’s recent operational decisions and stated he had not been consulted by acting Commissioner Leland Dudek but spoke to the chief information officer, Michael Russo.
SSA recently announced it would be reversing a policy requiring some elderly and disabled beneficiaries to appear in person to confirm their identities.
Originally set to take effect April 14, the rule targeted those unable to complete online verification. The White House said the change comes as new phone-based anti-fraud software is being introduced to detect suspicious activity without requiring office visits.
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Senators on both sides of the aisle questioned DOGE’s role at the agency and widespread reports of poor customer service experiences. Bisignano acknowledged the concerns and stressed the need for better understanding and management of service demand.
“So to me, the job is to analyze everything we do. I know there’s a lot of stats out there. I’m not doing anything there, but I look at all the data it produces, and I see a land of opportunity,” he said in response.
DOGE remains active within SSA, but a preliminary court order has curbed its access to sensitive data, requiring its staff to complete SSA-level background checks and training. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court, leaving the matter unresolved.
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