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Maxine Waters' 'Can you shut him up' moment with Scott Bessent, explained

Waters argued at a committee hearing that tariffs were raising prices and worsening housing affordability.

Maxine Waters' 'Can you shut him up' moment with Scott Bessent, explained
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Outlet credibilityCNN84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

Credibility rates CNN, which carries this article. The other scores rate the article itself. CNN's published outlet score.

CNN
Feb 4, 2026
tl;dr

At a House hearing, Rep. Maxine Waters and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clashed over whether tariffs contribute to inflation and housing costs. The article examines both sides’ claims and how tariffs may affect prices, employment and homebuilding.

Community verdict

3 VOTES
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Maxine Waters D · CA-43

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 10

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  • Readers of left-leaning coverage: not enough votes yet
  • Readers of right-leaning coverage: 0% good look
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Maxine Waters
D · CA-43

House Financial Services Committee ranking member who challenged the Treasury secretary over tariffs and affordability

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Scott Bessent
R · Secretary of the Treasury

Treasury secretary who defended the administration’s tariff policy and disputed Waters’s account of inflation and housing costs

Bessent's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration’s tariffs and immigration policy are discussed

House Financial Services Committee chairman whom Waters asked to intervene

Part of a bigger story

9 OUTLETS
Maxine Waters and Scott Bessent Exchange Words During Testimony

Waters challenged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over tariffs at a House hearing, and they clashed over whether tariffs contribute to inflation and housing costs. Center outlets examine tariffs’ possible effects on prices and housing, while one also foregrounds Bessent’s combative approach and Federal Reserve remarks. Right-leaning outlets center the confrontation and generally portray Waters as disruptive and Bessent as composed or forceful, with less emphasis on examining the tariffs’ economic effects.

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