Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Defends Economic Outlook in Tense House Hearing

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent faced a grilling from lawmakers today—defending his economic projections as skepticism mounts across the aisle. The hearing turned into a high-stakes showdown over fiscal policy, inflation forecasts, and the administration's long-term growth strategy.

The Political Pressure Cooker

Bessent stood firm as representatives fired questions about deficit projections, interest rate impacts, and employment data. He pushed back against claims of overly optimistic modeling, pointing to recent indicators of resilience in key sectors. The exchange grew heated when discussions turned to debt sustainability and potential market volatility.

A Defiant Defense

Throughout the session, Bessent maintained that current policy frameworks remain appropriate—arguing that premature adjustments could undermine recovery momentum. He acknowledged external risks but emphasized built-in safeguards within the Treasury's approach. The secretary's tone shifted between technical explanations and pointed rebuttals, reflecting the tension between economic governance and political reality.

Markets barely blinked during the testimony—another reminder that political theater often matters less to traders than actual policy changes. Bessent exits the hearing with his outlook intact, but the political winds suggest tougher scrutiny ahead. The real test won't come from congressional microphones but from the cold, hard data in next quarter's reports.