Treasury nominee calls for stronger Russia sanctions and Fed independence at confirmation panel

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 of 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.

He was introduced by a fellow South Carolinian, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who said the U.S. needs a treasury secretary ''who knows what he's doing, has the trust of the president and loves his country.'' Graham added: ''Your ship came in with this guy.''

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, notably Al Gore's presidential run. He also worked for George Soros, a major supporter of Democrats.

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. Republican lawmakers say the program is a waste of money because free filing programs already exist, although they are not popular.

He also called for stronger sanctions on Russia, saying the Biden administration's sanctions regime isn't ''muscular'' enough. ''I believe the previous administration was worried about raising U.S. energy prices during an election season," he said.

Bessent was one of several people Trump considered for the position. Trump took his time before settling on Bessent as his nominee. He also mulled over billionaire investor John Paulson and Howard Lutnick, whom Trump tapped as his nominee for commerce secretary.

The treasury secretary is responsible for serving as the president's fiscal policy adviser and managing the public debt. He would also be a member of the president's National Economic Council.

If confirmed, Bessent will oversee massive agencies within the Treasury Department, including the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS received a massive boost in funding from Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act, though that money has been in constant threat of being cut.

''Productive investment that grows the economy must be prioritized over wasteful spending that drives inflation,'' Bessent testified.

Senators questioned the money manager for more than three hours on his views on the Trump-era tax cuts, tariffs, China and potential conflicts of interest.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a member of the finance committee, sent Bessent more than 100 written questions in advance, interrogating him on such topics as agency independence, housing, treasury workforce issues and financial stability oversight.

In addition, Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee have circulated a document that alleges Bessent has avoided paying roughly $1 million in taxes related to his hedge fund. During the hearing, Bessent said he is up to date on his taxes and litigating the portion of his taxes in controversy. He also committed to shuttering his firm if confirmed to be treasury secretary.

Bessent has backed extending provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which Trump signed into law in his first year in office. Estimates from various economic analyses of the costs of the various tax cuts range from nearly $6 trillion to $10 trillion over 10 years.