Rep. Ayanna Pressley clashes with Scott Bessent

    by Flint: Ayanna Pressley

    The integrity question is where this thing peaked. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D) spent her time at the hearing hollering at Scott Bessent, pressing him on whether he'd heard about an issue and taking nothing but yes or no for an answer. When he started to say he was aware of an Obama-related matter, she jumped in over him: STOP FILIBUSTERING, stop acting like the facts are a mystery to you, MOVING ON, and then the line about knowing these issues and her questioning his integrity. That's not oversight, that's a woman who can't handle what he's saying. The behavior reads as unruly, and the committee would be better off without her on it. He gets halfway into a factual answer and she shuts the mic down before it lands. The gap between them isn't subtle.

    Transcript (en)

    insurance. Have you heard about this issue, yes or no? I am aware that Obama is a failure. Yes or no, are you aware? Stop filibustering and stop acting like you don't know what the facts are. Moving on. Secretary Besson, the Joint Economic Committee found that tariffs cost families on average $1,700. Have you heard about this issue? I have not. You heard about this issue. Your boss, Donald Trump, said that he was going to give people a, he would reimburse them. He would send them a check for the cost of these tariffs. And he hasn't done that because he lies on everything. Moving on. You know about these issues, and I'm questioning your integrity. You know about these issues. Ms. Presley is recognized. Ms. Presley is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. You know about these issues. The American people are suffering. You know better. You go on television and you say that Trump's economic agenda is a great comeback. And that makes me question not only your integrity, but if you're operating in the same reality as the people whom you are accountable to. And you are enabling him, and it's shameful. Secretary Besson, the families in my district and across this country are struggling to afford a home, buy food, raise their kids, pay these high utility bills, and they deserve a government that's going to make their life easier, not harder. But that's exactly what is happening on your watch as the Secretary Besson.