Tense Exchange at Congressional Hearing
A heated exchange unfolded between California Democratic Representative Maxine Waters and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a Congressional hearing yesterday, prompting reactions from the White House.
Waters and Bessent were discussing the effects of illegal immigration on the ongoing housing crisis when tensions escalated, especially after some Democrats called for the committee chairman to be “silenced” following his term’s conclusion.
“Mr. Chairman, could you please tell him when I’m asking for time… it would be great if you could shut him up?” Waters requested, clearly frustrated.
She pressed Bessent on his earlier comments that suggested tariffs were linked to inflation, referencing studies that dispute this notion. Shifting to the housing issues, she attributed parts of the rising home prices to tariffs on wood and steel.
“Donald Trump made housing significantly more expensive, as we’ve all seen. He intended to increase tariffs on goods related to home production,” Waters argued.
Waters then directed her criticism towards Trump’s immigration policies, claiming that deportations harmed the homebuilding sector by eliminating available labor.
“Secretary Bessent, can you be the voice of reason in this administration and ask President Trump to reconsider his stance that is hurting American consumers and housing costs?” she challenged.
As Bessent began to explain, she repeatedly interrupted him, insisting, “Could you speak up? Please?”
Bessent shot back, advocating for maintaining some decorum. “Can you maintain some decency?” he retorted.
To which the Chairman interjected, “The time for gentle ladies has passed.”
“No, my time isn’t up yet!” Waters protested loudly, accusing the chairman of bias in favor of Bessent.
The White House’s Rapid Response Account later criticized Waters on social media, labeling her “rude and low-IQ,” while reinforcing Bessent’s point about the effect of the influx of new residents—between 10 to 20 million people—on housing inflation. “So, you and the Biden administration should be ashamed,” he emphasized.
