Confirmation hearings roundup

Treasury pick defends Trump’s economic plans

WASHINGTON — U.S. Treasury nominee Scott Bessent on Thursday faced sharp questions from both Democrats and Republicans on tax policy, tariffs, China, Russia sanctions and the future of an IRS tax filing system that Republicans have called to be cut.

And in turn, Bessent defended President-elect Donald Trump's economic policies and proposals.

Bessent sat in front of the Senate Finance Committee for his confirmation hearing, where he told lawmakers that the U.S. faces economic calamity if Congress does not renew provisions of Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He also asserted the Federal Reserve should remain independent from the president's influence and U.S. sanctions on Russian oil should be more aggressive.

But Democrats, including Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Michael Bennet of Colorado, expressed frustration that Trump's promise to extend provisions of his 2017 tax cuts would benefit the wealthiest taxpayers and add to the growing national debt that has surpassed $36 trillion.

Bennet assailed Bessent for shedding “crocodile tears” over the debt and spending, while the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act drove up the debt. “There's so many things I think you owe the American people after we have seen the catastrophe” from the tax cuts.

Bessent is a billionaire who, before becoming a Trump donor and adviser, donated to various Democratic causes in the early 2000s.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin also probed Bessent with questions about bringing national spending down to pre-pandemic levels.

In his testimony, Bessent committed to maintaining the IRS' Direct File program — which allows taxpayers to file their returns directly to the IRS for free — at least for the 2025 tax season, which begins Jan. 27.

He also called for stronger sanctions on Russia, saying the Biden administration’s sanctions regime isn’t “muscular” enough.

EPA nominee remains vague on policies

Lee Zeldin said Americans deserve a clean environment “without suffocating the economy” during his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a department likely to play a central role in President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to slash federal regulations and promote oil and gas development.

It was a mostly friendly hearing that occasionally grew pointed when Democrats questioned Zeldin about climate change asking what, if anything, Zeldin thinks should be done about a problem that has worsened floods and raised sea levels but that Trump has dismissed.

Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, for example, asked about basic climate science, including what impact carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels have on the atmosphere.

“I don’t sit before you as a scientist,” Zeldin said. After a follow-up question, he did say that carbon dioxide traps heat.

Zeldin, a former Republican congressman serving part of Long Island, has been a longtime Trump ally. He served on Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment and voted against certifying Trump’s 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.

Trump led efforts to dismantle environmental protections during his first term and has promised to do so again. Experts and advocates believe that Zeldin’s first tasks will be overturning President Joe Biden’s biggest climate accomplishments, including tailpipe regulations for vehicles and slashing pollution from power plants.

During the hearing, however, Zeldin repeatedly declined to commit to specific policies, promising instead not to prejudge outcomes before arriving at EPA. When asked by Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska about whether he would roll back programs that promote electric cars — a program Trump has criticized — Zeldin stayed vague but acknowledged Republican opposition.

HUD secretary confirmation hearing

Scott Turner, who served in the first Trump administration, spoke before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee for his nomination as leader of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno asked how the number of illegal immigrants have affected housing affordability. Turner called it “a great burden” on HUD as an agency, especially as a homelessness issue.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, implored Turner to protect U.S. citizens in HUD housing even if undocumented people were in their household. Only people legally in the country can receive HUD subsidies, though Trump’s first administration had tried unsuccessfully to limit their eligibility if they live with people who may not have approved immigration status.

Turner responded that he would uphold the laws on the books. “We do not like to tear up families, but we have an obligation to serve the American people,” he said.

The hearing focused on homelessness, affordability, the lack of housing supply and building and zoning regulations.

Turner was also pressed for specifics on how he would reform HUD’s massive portfolio of housing subsidies, with Democrats repeatedly asking if he supports Section 8 voucher programs. Turner didn’t commit to increasing the number of vouchers, which is a long-standing priority for Democrats.

Republicans focused on how Turner can support deregulation to spur development and increase the nation’s housing stock. The first Black person selected to be a member of Trump’s second term cabinet was also asked about Obama- and Biden-era initiatives to curb housing discrimination.

Sen. Tim Scott, the Republican chairman of the committee, in his opening remarks took a pause before mentioning the former name of the Washington football team where Turner once played. Turner noted he was drafted in the 7th round of the NFL, “which is the last round for those that don’t know,” a quip that got some chuckles in the room.