Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) apparently hasn’t been told that she can laugh and joke every once in a while.
Because even in the world of DC politics, it’s alright to laugh at yourself from time to time.
But Waters won’t have any of that.
During a Wednesday hearing titled the “The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System” in which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified in front of the House Financial Services Committee, Waters was the butt of a fairly light-hearted moment.
But one she wanted no part of.
Waters was ready up to grill Bessent when suddenly caught her off guard about reminiscing about partying with Waters years ago in the Bahamas.
“This is the first time we’ve met, is that correct?” she asked, attempting to make a point about Bessent not being responsive to the numerous requests she made to his office.
“No ma’am, we actually met one New Year’s Eve in the Bahamas,” Bessent replied, drawing laughter from the hearing room.
Taking his comment in stride, Waters laughed, saying, “You didn’t make an impression? Why don’t I remember that?”
“You were much better at the Electric Slide than I was,” Bessent told her, referring to the cringeworthy dance song and wedding reception staple from 1996.
Waters has frequently visited the Bahamas over the years, with her husband Sidney Williams serving as ambassador to the tropical island under the Clinton administration from 1994 to 1998.
“I was with the Prime Minister of the Bahamas yesterday, Prime Minister Davis, who sends his regards,” Bessent added.
.@RepMaxineWaters: "This is the first time we've met, is that correct?"@SecScottBessent: "No, ma'am. We actually met one New Year's Eve in the Bahamas."
Rep. Waters: "Why don't I remember that?"
Sec. Bessent: "You were much better at the electric slide than I was." pic.twitter.com/vwq2CpI3eC
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 7, 2025
Waters was unammused with the story, who quickly returned to grilling Bessent over what she described as his lack of responsiveness.
“I didn’t remember that, but that’s odd, because you’ve been at Treasury and I sent you five letters to ask about what was going on under your leadership, and only received a couple of cursory replies from your staff. Why didn’t you respond?” she asked.
Bessent told Waters and the rest of the panel that he’s been trying to stay on top of the influx of inquiries he receives.
Waters was not the only Democrat to take yesterday’s hearing with Bessent and turn it into a circus.
As previously reported by The Horn News, Ohio Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty sabotaged yesterday’s hearing by ranting on Bessent about the $20 bill.
“In 2016, former Secretary Jack Lew announced that Harriet Tubman was to be the new face of the $20 bill. Can you tell me what’s the current status of this project?” asked Beatty.
“No ma’am, I can’t, but my staff will get back to you,” said Bessent
“No, I want you to get back to me…”, interjected Beatty.
“No, I want you to get back to me because, see, there seems to be an issue when it comes to things that affect people of color or people who live in poverty, whether it is what you’re doing with social security, what you are doing with restricting funds—” she said as the chairman’s gavel could be heard repeatedly rapping, with chairman Republican Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil eventually telling her that her time had expired.
🚨NEW: Dem Rep Joyce Beatty DERAILS hearing for over 2 minutes after not liking Scott Bessent's answer🚨
BEATTY: "In 2016, former Secretary Jack Lew announced that Harriet Tubman was to be the new face of the $20 bill. Can you tell me what’s the current status of this project?"… pic.twitter.com/xEewvxNGsQ
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) May 7, 2025