Questions on issue areas from housing policy to the Trump family’s cryptocurrency business sparked shouting matches between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Democratic lawmakers at a House hearing Wednesday.
“Can you shut up?” Rep. Maxine Waters, the ranking member on the Financial Services Committee, said after Bessent began a lengthy answer to her yes or no question about whether he will urge President Donald Trump “to stop waging a war” on housing affordability by ending tariffs on construction materials.
“Can you maintain some level of dignity?” Bessent responded.