Frank Bissignano, candidate for social security commissioners, at his hearing to confirm the Senate Finance Committee on March 25, 2025 (Senate Webcast)
Washington -The US Senate confirmed Frank Bissignano on Tuesday as Commissioner for Social Security and responsible for a claim for demands of 1.5 trillion dollars on which tens of million Americans are based.
The 53-47 party service lesson A considerable part of the responsibility on Bissignano, which not only has the problems of the social security management of the customer service of the social security management, but that plans for the reduction of the staff by at least 7,000 employees do not hinder the safety network program that contributes to keeping the seniors out of poverty.
The Democratic Senator of Oregon, Ron Wyden, said during a floor speech shortly before the vote that Bissignano should be disqualified from the consideration after he had “lied” several times during the confirmation process.
Wyden also argued that bissignano would introduce significant changes to the social security authority, which could have a negative impact on people who rely on the program.
“Every single member of this committee who is correct to confirm this candidate will have the consequences,” said Wyden. “Mr. Bissignano is not the administrator of the hard -earned social security advantages of the Americans.”
Senator Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said during a floor speech last week that he was “confident” that Bissignano “needed experience to lead this important agency”.
“The social security management needs a steady leadership confirmed in the Senate,” said Crapo. “Mr. Bissignano would bring the decades of focus on customer service and operational excellence for administration of social security.”
Waiting times, error rate
Bisignano said during his almost Three -hour confirmation hearing In March he would make sure that the beneficiaries visit an office, operate the website or speak to a real person after calling the 1-800 number.
“On the phone I am striving to reduce the waiting times and offer the beneficiaries a better experience. I’m waiting for more than 20 minutes to get an answer from yesterday,” said Bisignano at the time. “I also believe that we can significantly improve the length of the disability process.”
Bisignano told the legislators during the hearing that he would reduce the 1% error rate in payments. He said he was “five decimal places too high”.
Whistleblower allegations
The Senate Finance Committee coordinated in party lines In April the nomination of Bissignano sent to the
“Although the time of the anonymous letter indicates political efforts to delay the committee about this candidate, my employees have informed Sen. Wyden’s employees – and we have just discussed this – we are open to the meeting with the author of the letter and keep the individual anonymous,” said Crapo. “However, all information provided by the person must be thoroughly checked, including enabling the possibility of giving the opportunity to answer.”
Wyden, a member of the body, asked the Republicans to delay this committee vote until after the examination has been completed.
“This candidate has based every member of this committee several times, including cross -party financial employees and the campaigns and communication of the candidate and communication with Doge are the focus of my conservation,” said Wyden. “My office has received an account from a whistleblower about the way the candidate was deeply involved from a whistleblower and aware of the activities of Doge in the agency.”
During his Floor speech last week, Crapo said that the whistleblower “allegations and details of communication between the officials of the administrative officials of the nominees and social security management”.
“Mr. Bissignano addressed these allegations during the hearing and answered in writing as part of the questions for the recording,” added Crapo. “He clearly explained that he currently does not play a role in the social security administration and was not part of the decision -making process, which is led by the incumbent commissioner Lee Dudek via social security, personnel or management.”
Bisignano from New Jersey, most recently chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Fiserv, Inc., was “money movement for thousands of financial institutions and millions of people and companies”. The company is based in Wisconsin.
Previously, he worked as a co-chief operating officer and Chief Executive Officer from Mortgage Banking at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
