A Treasury Department official informed Congress on Tuesday that DOGE, a tech firm working with the Department of Government Efficiency, will have only “read-only access” to the federal payment systems. This decision was made in response to concerns raised by lawmakers about potential security risks and disruptions to critical payments, such as Social Security and Medicare.

In a letter addressing these concerns, the official reassured Congress that the Treasury Department remains committed to safeguarding the payment system’s integrity. Some lawmakers worried that DOGE’s involvement could lead to delayed or misdirected payments. Additionally, there was concern over the influence of DOGE’s CEO, Elon Musk, especially after comments made on his social media platform, X, about potentially halting payments to certain organizations, such as a Lutheran charity.

The letter clarified that the Treasury’s payment system review, led by Cloud Software Group CEO Tom Krause, has not affected the timely delivery of federal payments. Krause, serving as a “special government employee,” is working with career Treasury officials. The review ensures that federal payment processes remain efficient and secure.

Currently, Krause and Treasury staff have limited “read-only access” to the Treasury’s Fiscal Service payment systems to carry out their assessment. This access is similar to that granted to auditors and other individuals reviewing the system, ensuring that data integrity is maintained.

The Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service oversees nearly 90% of all federal payments, processing over 1.2 billion transactions annually. The official emphasized that the department’s primary mission is to manage government finances responsibly, ensuring the integrity and security of the payment systems, which are vital to the U.S. economy.

Despite the assurances, some members of Congress remain skeptical. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) questioned why lawmakers should trust Musk’s claims about the limited nature of the access, pointing to his public statements that seem to contradict the Treasury’s position.

In response, a group of labor unions and advocates has filed a lawsuit to prevent DOGE from accessing the payment systems, arguing that it violates privacy protections. They contend that individuals should not be forced to share their personal information with Musk’s company.

The controversy around DOGE’s access follows the resignation of Treasury’s Acting Deputy Secretary David Lebryk, who stepped down after the request for access was made. In his resignation letter, Lebryk expressed pride in the Treasury’s work, acknowledging the importance of the Fiscal Service in managing federal operations.