Live: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Testifies on Trump's Economic Agenda Before Senate Banking Committee

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will testify before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday morning about President Trump's economic agenda and the Treasury Department's annual Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) report.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST and comes amid growing scrutiny of the administration's tariff policies and broader concerns about affordability heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Senators are expected to press Bessent on how proposed policies could affect inflation, markets and household budgets.

Bessent, who faced tense questioning from House Democrats during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, has defended the administration's approach and pushed back against critics. Thursday's testimony will be closely watched for both policy detail and the political implications.

What To Watch

• Tariffs and Trade: Lawmakers will ask how tariffs factor into the administration's broader economic strategy.
• Affordability Concerns: Questions will focus on consumer costs, inflationary pressures and measures to ease household expenses.
• FSOC Findings: The Treasury will summarize financial stability risks identified in its annual report.
• Political Context: With the 2026 midterms approaching, both parties have heightened incentives to highlight economic wins or missteps.

Watch the live stream (link above) for real-time coverage. We will provide updates and analysis as significant exchanges occur during the hearing.