Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent faced an unusually public confirmation hearing for his nomination as Secretary of the Treasury. Democrats pressed him on the economic impact of Trump's proposed tax cuts, while Republicans praised his qualifications.
US investor and hedge fund manager Scott Bessent testified before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination to be Secretary of the Treasury on January 16, 2025. Bessent, who was little known outside of Wall Street until he became one of the top economic advisers to President-elect Donald Trump 's campaign, faced an unusually public – and messy – confirmation hearing . His husband and children sat behind Bessent at today's hearing.
If confirmed, he will become the first openly gay, Senate-confirmed Cabinet official in a Republican administration. The Secretary of the Treasury advises on economic policy and the financial system. If confirmed, Bessent will be responsible for implementing Trump's proposed economic policies, including tax cuts and sweeping tariffs. Trump's promised tax cuts, and their potential consequences for the U.S. economy, took center stage at Bessent's confirmation hearing. 'This is the single most important economic issue of the day,' Bessent told members of the Senate Finance Committee.'This is pass-fail. If we do not fix these tax cuts, if we do not renew and extend, then we will be facing an economic calamity, and as always, with financial instability that falls on the middle and working class.' Trump's return to the White House this year – meaning that his second administration will have an opportunity to again reshape tax policy for years to come. Over more than three hours, Bessent calmly fielded questions from Democrats and praise from Republicans. Sen. Mike Crapo, the Idaho Republican who now chairs the committee, praised Bessent for his'very, very straightforward, courteous, and honorable' responses, as well as his underlying qualifications for the job:'Your background, your training, everything is tailor-made for this role.' Democrats repeatedly pressed Bessent over the impact of Trump's proposed tax cuts on the national deficit and on income inequality in the United States. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has estimated that extending the 2017 law would increase the national debt by more than 'We want a tax code that gives everyone in America a chance to get ahead … and there's a long way to go to get it done,' Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said in his closing remarks. Bessent also fielded questions over many of Trump's other proposed economic policies. Tariffs have been a particularly contentious topic: Economists warn that Trump's sweeping proposals could But Bessent downplayed these concerns. At one point, Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., asked Bessent if he thought any of Trump's economic policies would increase inflation.A South Carolina native turned Wall Street investor, Bessent repeatedly argued that he would prioritize Main Street consumers over his wealthy peers. 'I believe Wall Street has done great the past few years, and that Main Street has suffered. I think it's Main Street's time,' Bessent said.'an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.' At Thursday's hearing, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, asked Bessent if he agreed with Biden. Bessent did not directly answer the question
Scott Bessent Treasury Secretary Confirmation Hearing Donald Trump Economic Policy Tax Cuts Tariffs Democrats Republicans
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