Congresswoman Linda Sanchez accuses Treasury Secretary of sexism during hearing

On June 11, 2025, during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing in the United States, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez challenged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the impact of tariffs enacted by the Trump administration. She pointed out that the tariffs were contributing to rising prices for everyday goods, emphasizing that they would cost households around $3,000 more in total than in previous years, however, she did not cite any sources for this claim when pressed by Bessent. The hearing took an unexpected turn when Sanchez accused Bessent of interrupting her while she was speaking, implying that this was due to her being a woman. Her comments prompted audible groans and disapproval from other attendees in the room, illustrating the contentious atmosphere of the discussion. As Sanchez attempted to make her points about the economic impact of tariffs and the lack of transparency in the negotiations with China, Bessent sought to interject. This led to Sanchez firmly cutting him off and expressing her frustration: "Please don’t interrupt me… I know I’m a woman, but please try to limit yourself to answering my questions." She reiterated that women often get talked over in discussions like these, and insisted that she did not want that to happen at this hearing. Bessent, while he did not address the gender-specific accusation made by Sanchez, defended the administration's trade strategies, asserting that the agreements made with China under Trump were adhered to, contradicting Sanchez's statements on the issues at hand. As she continued to challenge him about the rising prices attributed to tariffs, he maintained that the trade negotiations were a complex process, requiring ongoing engagement rather than quick resolutions. This exchange became a focal point of the hearing, highlighting not only the contentious political climate surrounding trade policies but also the challenges women face in male-dominated spaces. The incident drew considerable attention on social media, where many expressed their support for Sanchez's assertion about being interrupted and the implications of gender dynamics in political discourse. The White House's rapid response account also weighed in, describing Sanchez's comments as "shameful." The office of Congresswoman Sanchez had not provided any further comments following the session, leaving room for interpretation on her stance and reflections on the contentious interaction with Bessent.