Advertisement Clock ticking on U.S. debt limit as Trump officials defend economic, immigration policies Share Copy Link Copy Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended key elements of President Donald Trump’s agenda Tuesday during high-stakes budget hearings on Capitol Hill. The hearings addressed a range of hot-button issues—from steep tariffs and tax cuts to immigration enforcement and Real ID compliance—as lawmakers weigh the administration’s funding priorities.Secretary Bessent, testifying before a House committee, defended the administration’s aggressive trade policies, including a 145% tariff on Chinese goods. He also said China and the United States are not negotiating.“There are 18 very important trading relationships.
We are currently negotiating with 17 of those trading partners — China, we’re not negotiating with at the moment,” Bessent told lawmakers.Bessent also said that he expects that “the majority of countries” will reach agreements with the U.S. by the end of the year.The tariffs have faced mounting criticism over their impact on prices and supply chains. But Bessent insisted they are a necessary tool to protect American industries and reduce the trade deficit.He also urged Congress to make permanent the 2017 Trump tax cuts, which are currently set to expire. The proposal is part of broader talks over a government spending package.Bessent addressed another urgent issue: the looming debt ceiling.
He said the Treasury Department is still assessing the massive influx of tax payments received around the April 15 filing deadline to determine when the U.S. will run out of cash to meet its obligations—a moment known as the X-date. “Our estimate will be forthcoming,” he said, adding, “Just as an outfielder running for a fly ball, we are on the warning track. And when you’re on the warning track, it means the wall’s not far away.
"Experts warn a default on the debt would be catastrophic for the economy.Real ID and Immigration EnforcementHomeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed a looming Real ID deadline set to go into effect Wednesday, which has prompted concern among travelers. She assured the public that passengers without a compliant ID would still be allowed to fly.“What will happen tomorrow is, folks will come through the line and issue their ID,” Noem said. “If it’s not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly.”Noem said that 81% of travelers already possess Real ID-compliant identification but urged remaining travelers to upgrade soon to avoid future delays.She also defended the president’s request for a $42 billion increase to DHS’s budget, funds that would go toward resuming construction of the border wall, hiring thousands of agents, and ramping up deportation operations — up to one million people per year.Democrats, though in the minority, pushed back.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) sharply criticized the administration’s actions, especially around the reallocation of federal funds. “You have no authority to abrogate these funds,” she said. “They are the prerogative of the Appropriations Committee.
The power of the purse resides here!”Secretary Noem also pointed to a significant drop in illegal border crossings since Trump returned to office during her hearing.
