Washington, D.C. — A routine House Financial Services Committee hearing turned unexpectedly personal and contentious this week as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent corrected Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) over a disputed claim regarding their prior interactions.
During the May 7 hearing, Rep. Waters asserted that she had never met Secretary Bessent, a claim he promptly challenged. “I actually met you on New Year’s Eve in the Bahamas,” Bessent said. “You were much better at the Electric Slide than I was.” The surprising exchange drew reactions across social media and news outlets, as Bessent’s recollection added an unexpected personal note to the formal proceedings.
The encounter underscored broader tensions during the hearing, where Rep. Waters criticized Bessent for what she described as a pattern of evasion. “I’ve sent multiple letters and received nothing but cursory responses,” Waters stated. She voiced frustration over what she sees as the Treasury Department’s failure to adequately address congressional inquiries.
A significant point of contention was the involvement of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a relatively new initiative affiliated with the Treasury. Waters questioned why individuals linked to DOGE had access to Treasury systems and operations. “Why are DOGE personnel embedded within Treasury functions?” she asked.
Secretary Bessent defended the presence of DOGE-affiliated individuals, clarifying that they were legitimate Treasury staff with only “read-only” access to department systems. “There is no such thing as a DOGE employee,” Bessent said, affirming that all personnel working on the initiative are considered standard Treasury employees.
The DOGE initiative has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, with questions about its role, transparency, and accountability mechanisms. While Bessent maintained that DOGE’s function is to improve government efficiency without compromising security or oversight, critics remain concerned about the potential for blurred lines between innovation efforts and traditional government oversight.
The hearing concluded without major resolutions but signaled continued friction between Secretary Bessent and Democratic lawmakers, particularly those demanding greater transparency from the Treasury Department.
Watch the video of Maxine Waters and Scott Bessent:
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