"Do you think this severe, and let me just repeat that, the severe understaffing issues, like in Albuquerque, do you think they are acceptable?"
"I have not received satisfactory, timely, timely responses. I need you to get back to me."
"I would disagree. I think you do know."
"But certainly none in my region, which has the highest consistent cases..."
"I appreciate that we are having what I consider sort of two bites at the apple to start to look at disability cases and the system that Social Security has in place to review those cases."
"And like every Member here, I certainly want a system that's objective and fair."
"I want accountability not only from the claimant level, from everybody who's making decisions in the Social Security system..."
"I know that you're aware that we have one of the most significant disability and behavioral health problems in the country per capita."
"Does that deter legitimate claimants from appealing their cases and receiving benefits?"
"Congress needs to fully invest in reducing the backlog."
"But I have plenty of practice with that situation where you are trained to deny up front, because that is one way to manage resources, no question."