Treasury Secretary Bessent Faces Heated Democratic Rebukes in Congressional Budget Hearings

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faced intense scrutiny and heated exchanges during multiple congressional hearings regarding President Donald Trump's 2026 budget and economic policies. In one notable House Ways and Means Committee hearing, Delegate Stacey Plaskett sharply reprimanded Bessent for repeatedly interrupting her while she discussed the stock market and cost of living, emphasizing the importance of respect and orderly conduct during the session. Similarly, Representative Linda Sanchez accused Bessent of sexism for interrupting her questions, a claim that was met with audible groans and criticism by attendees, highlighting tensions over decorum and gender dynamics. In Senate Finance Committee hearings, Bessent clashed with Democratic senators over tax cuts favoring wealthy Americans, which critics argue will exacerbate the deficit and burden future generations, with Bessent deflecting blame and critiquing the questioning as semantic. Senator Michael Bennet directly challenged Bessent on supporting policies that increase the deficit despite prior statements opposing deficit spending, underscoring the contentious debate over the fiscal impact of the Trump administration's budget proposals. The confrontations reflect broader partisan disputes over economic priorities, budget deficits, and the administration's approach to wealth distribution and fiscal responsibility.