Senate Confirms Frank Bisignano as Social Security Commissioner

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate confirmed Frank Bisignano as the new commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) on May 6, 2025, in a party-line vote of 53-47. Bisignano, a tech executive and former CEO of Fiserv, is set to oversee an agency that provides benefits to approximately 73 million Americans.

Bisignano’s confirmation comes amid concerns regarding his alleged connections with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk. During his confirmation hearing, Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., accused Bisignano of lying about his interactions with DOGE officials, claiming he intervened to place them into positions at SSA.

“I was not involved in onboarding anybody in the middle of the night,” Bisignano responded to the allegations, emphasizing his commitment to protect personal data of SSA beneficiaries.

Advocates for older and disabled Americans have expressed concerns over proposed job cuts and changes at the agency, arguing these could negatively affect service delivery. Critics have pointed out that the Trump administration plans to reduce SSA staff by 7,000 positions, leading to fears of increased wait times for assistance.

Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, denounced Bisignano’s confirmation, stating the SSA needs a commissioner focused on beneficiaries rather than Musk’s interests. “He is not only unqualified, with no expertise regarding this vital program — he is dangerous to it,” she stated.

During his hearing, Bisignano acknowledged the agency’s challenges but asserted his focus on improving service. He promised to reduce the current wait time on phone calls and improve processing of disability applications.

“We need to improve our response time,” he said, noting that only 46% of calls to SSA get answered. He aims to implement technology such as AI to enhance customer service.

Bipartisan reactions are mixed, with Republicans supporting Bisignano for his corporate track record. However, the opposition remains strong from Democrats, fearing his agenda may entail privatizing Social Security.

The issue has intensified as the Trump administration faces scrutiny over its management of SSA’s critical operations. As Bisignano steps into this controversial role, the future of the agency and the services it provides hangs in the balance.