Today, Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Ron Estes (KS-04) delivered the following remarks during a joint subcommittee hearing with the Commissioner of Social Security, Frank J. Bisignano.

As prepared for delivery

I want to welcome all of our members, and I want to especially welcome the Commissioner of Social Security, Frank Bisignano.

I’d also like to thank the Chairman of the Work and Welfare Subcommittee, my colleague Darin LaHood, and the ranking members of our two subcommittees, Mr. John Larson and Mr. Danny Davis. As well as our full committee Chairman Jason Smith and Mr. Neal, our full committee Ranking Member.

Today marks a first for both me and the Commissioner, as he was recently confirmed and is making his first appearance in this committee room, and today is my first hearing as chair of the Social Security Subcommittee.

However, neither of us is new to or naïve about the successes and challenges that the Social Security Administration faces, and I look forward to working closely with the Commissioner to improve customer service, root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and strengthen the program for current, near, and future beneficiaries.

Today, it seems like a lot of politicians look for viral moments and quick soundbites to appeal to their bases. And this can be particularly true when it comes to talking about Social Security, which can easily be demagogued for cheap political gain.

However, I think it’s safe to say that every Member on this dais, whether Republican or Democrat, is concerned about this important program and wants to make sure that it remains available for those hardworking Americans and their families who have earned a right to its benefits.

My Republican colleagues and I, along with President Trump, are committed to protecting Social Security and providing economic security to current and future beneficiaries.

But in order to keep our commitments to our seniors, disabled workers, and their families, we need to have an honest dialogue with both the American people and among ourselves. Last week’s Trustees Report re-affirmed what we’ve all known for some time now: without Congressional action, Social Security’s retirement Trust Fund will be exhausted in just over seven years which would result in the equivalent of a 23 percent across-the-board benefit cut.

These programs are too important to demagogue. As the Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee I will commit to maintain an honest dialogue about these vital programs and I invite all of my colleagues to do the same.

Keeping our commitments includes ensuring that Americans have reliable access to the services provided by the SSA. Which brings us to the topic of today’s hearing on improving and modernizing the Social Security Administration and why I’m pleased to welcome the recently confirmed Commissioner of Social Security, Frank Bisignano.

I have been in Congress for eight years, and I’ve placed a high priority on constituent services in my home district. The men and women who are constituent services representatives in my office have helped countless Kansans navigate the complexities of the Social Security Administration. And while I’m grateful for their work, it shouldn’t take a call from a congressman’s office to simply get the benefits someone deserves.

Commissioner, it’s evident that you and President Trump share my concern. There is still room for improvement, but the average speed of answer on the 800 number hit a high of 42 minutes in November 2023. It was 16.7 minutes in April 2025. The average wait time in field offices has decreased by eight minutes since the start of the fiscal year, and pending disability claims have dropped below one million after topping 1.2 million in the summer of 2024.

Again, these are improvements, but we can and should do more to make the processes more efficient for beneficiaries. I look forward to a robust discussion today with my colleagues and the Commissioner.