Pete Ricketts on Social Security: Office Closure Votes, Staff Cuts, and Nebraska Service

Pete Ricketts voted on April 5, 2025 against an amendment to prevent DOGE from closing Social Security offices, and against amendments to preserve Social Security phone service and reverse staff cuts (roll call; roll call; roll call). Social Security staff in Nebraska fell 13 percent between January 2025 and April 2026, part of a national cut of more than 8,000 workers that left the agency with fewer employees than at any time since 1967 (CBPP).

The Nebraska senator voted to confirm Frank Bisignano as Social Security commissioner on May 6, 2025 (roll call), and voted for the 2025 megabill, which Social Security's chief actuary says moves the retirement trust fund's depletion date from 2034 to 2032 (roll call; Nebraska Public Media).

In September 2025, Ricketts said "All field offices are fully staffed" (Ricketts release), while Nebraska's Social Security workforce was shrinking.

Pete Ricketts's Votes and Statements on Social Security

• Ricketts Voted Against Stopping DOGE From Closing Social Security Offices in April 2025. On April 5, 2025, Pete Ricketts voted no on an amendment to the budget resolution to prevent DOGE from closing Social Security offices and preserve access to benefits for seniors and people with disabilities; it failed 48 to 51 (roll call).
• Ricketts Voted Against Preserving Social Security Phone Service in April 2025. On April 5, 2025, Ricketts voted no on an amendment to preserve access to Social Security's phone service, which failed 48 to 51 (roll call).
• Ricketts Voted Against Reversing Social Security Staff Cuts in April 2025. On April 4, 2025, Ricketts voted no on an amendment for reversing cuts to the Social Security Administration, including cuts ordered by DOGE, which failed 49 to 50 (roll call).
• Ricketts Voted to Confirm Frank Bisignano as Social Security Commissioner in May 2025. On May 6, 2025, Ricketts voted to confirm Frank Bisignano, 53 to 47 (roll call). By January 2026 the agency he leads had fewer employees than at any time since 1967, and more than 3,800 customer service staff were gone (CBPP).
• Ricketts Voted for the Law That Speeds Trust Fund Depletion in July 2025. On July 1, 2025, Ricketts voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (roll call). Social Security's chief actuary wrote that it speeds the retirement trust fund's depletion from 2034 to 2032 (Nebraska Public Media).
• Ricketts Said All Social Security Field Offices Were Fully Staffed in September 2025. Ricketts said "All field offices are fully staffed" on September 17, 2025, during his call with Nebraska media (Ricketts release; Nebraska Public Media). Office of Personnel Management data show Nebraska's Social Security staff fell by 20 people, or 13 percent, between January 2025 and April 2026, including a 12 percent drop in customer service positions (CBPP).

What Social Security Staff Cuts Mean for Nebraska Retirees

• Nebraska lost 13 percent of its Social Security staff. Nebraska's Social Security workforce fell 13 percent between January 2025 and April 2026, and customer service positions fell 12 percent; those are the staff who help people file for retirement, survivor and disability benefits at field offices and by phone (CBPP).
• The agency shifted benefit processors to answer phones. CBPP reports Social Security moved thousands of remaining workers into new roles to fill customer service gaps, which risks slowing other work such as processing benefits (CBPP).
• Nebraska retirees face an earlier trust fund shortfall. Social Security's chief actuary wrote that the 2025 law speeds the date the retirement and survivors trust fund runs out of reserves from 2034 to 2032, two years sooner for Nebraskans who count on full benefits (Nebraska Public Media).

Frequently Asked Questions Pete Ricketts on Social Security

Last updated: 2026-10-28

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