POLITICS

Treasury Secretary Bessent Testifies on Financial Stability, Clashes

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WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday about the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s 2025 report, focusing on artificial intelligence, community banks, sanctions and financial-market risks. He told lawmakers AI is a top FSOC priority as it spreads across banking and markets, warned that more than 50% of community banks declined since the global financial crisis, defended sanctions on Iran and Myanmar citing a December Iranian banking collapse, and said new Russia sanctions would depend on peace talks. The hearing included heated exchanges with Democratic members. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

2008: Global financial crisis begins; long-term decline in community banks follows.
December (prior to Feb. hearings): Treasury testimony cites an Iranian banking collapse and central bank intervention.
Early February 2025: Private Miami talks involving U.S. envoys and Russian interlocutors occur before public hearings.
Feb. 5, 2025: Bessent testifies before the House Financial Services Committee on FSOC 2025 priorities, including AI and community bank concerns.
Following hearings: Senate Banking Committee addresses conditional further sanctions on Russia tied to peace talks.