Bessent Says Democrats Would Have Little Power to Halt Trump Agenda

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives would have “very little” ability to stop President Donald Trump’s agenda, citing what he called durable tariff authorities. His comments came ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections, when control of the House and Senate will be decided. In an interview with 2WAY, Bessent was asked what Democrats could accomplish if they regained the House. He argued that existing executive and trade authorities would allow the administration to continue implementing its policies. He did not say that a Democratic majority would have no power; his assessment was that it would have limited ability to halt the agenda. Bessent pointed to his recent congressional hearings as an example of what he expected from a Democratic-led House. He said lawmakers had generated more political noise than substantive scrutiny. In his account, his latest hearing was ostensibly about international financial institutions, but he received no questions on that subject. That description of the hearing was Bessent’s account. The election will determine control of both chambers of Congress. Republicans currently hold...