A routine congressional hearing took an unexpected turn this week when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Representative Maxine Waters engaged in a tense — and at times humorous — exchange over data access and departmental oversight.

The hearing, focused on government transparency and digital security, centered around questions regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its involvement with financial systems housed within agencies such as the Treasury, IRS, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The exchange between Bessent and Waters quickly drew attention for its tone and content, offering both serious concerns and surprising recollections.

Waters opened her remarks with pointed questions about access protocols.

“Do you know the level, type, or nature of the clearances and security training required for individuals to access the information held in the computers of Treasury, IRS, or CFPB?” she asked sharply.

Bessent calmly responded, “Yes, I do, and I think we would have a disagreement over the definition of the word ‘unfettered.’”

Waters, unsatisfied with the explanation, pressed further, accusing the DOGE team — led by its high-profile chief — of bypassing traditional channels.

“You let these strangers into our Treasury with access to all of the data, all of the personnel information, and you just opened the door!” she said, cutting off Bessent mid-response.

The Treasury Secretary clarified, “They were granted read-only access at Treasury. There were two individuals, and both were supervised under my direct authority. And to be clear, there’s no such thing as a ‘DOGE employee.’ It’s a departmental initiative, not a separate agency.”

That statement didn’t ease Waters’ concerns. She moved on with a curt nod but not before remarking, “I tend to disagree with you based on the information I have.”

What followed lightened the atmosphere — if only briefly. Waters, shifting the conversation, asked Bessent whether this was the first time they had met.

“No, ma’am,” Bessent replied, drawing a smile from a few in the chamber. “We actually met one New Year’s Eve in the Bahamas.”

Surprised, Waters asked, “Why don’t I remember that?”

“You were much better at the electric slide than I was,” Bessent said, adding that he had recently met with the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, who remembered the occasion and sent his regards.

“Well, were you with my husband when he was the ambassador to the Bahamas?” Waters asked, referring to her husband’s diplomatic posting years earlier. Bessent chuckled, politely dodging a direct answer.

Though the hearing’s focus remained on security procedures and internal oversight, the unusual blend of policy discussion and personal history added an unexpected twist to the proceedings.

Beyond the chamber drama, Secretary Bessent’s public profile continues to grow. In a recent poll conducted by a major research firm, Bessent emerged as the most popular member of the current presidential Cabinet, with a +14 net approval rating. This puts him ahead of prominent figures like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, both of whom were tied at +8.

Bessent’s surge in popularity may be tied to his department’s efforts to modernize and streamline internal operations, as well as his visible participation in international financial talks. His calm, measured tone during congressional hearings has also earned him praise — even from those across the aisle.

But the Treasury Secretary isn’t the only one experiencing rising approval.

According to a separate survey, President Donald Trump’s approval rating reached near-record highs in April, despite pushback over his aggressive trade policy changes. Support among young voters — those aged 18 to 29 — rose by an impressive 13 points since early March. These gains appear to build on the momentum seen during the last election, when younger voters showed a significant shift toward the incumbent.

Interestingly, the same poll also revealed a 17-point increase in favorability among Black voters, as well as a 6-point bump among both registered Democrats and independents. These figures suggest a broader political recalibration is underway, possibly influenced by recent economic and foreign policy developments.

For now, the national focus remains on ensuring data security and refining how federal departments share access and responsibility. The debate over DOGE’s role, its structure, and who truly holds the keys to the digital kingdom is unlikely to fade soon.

As the hearing concluded, the memory of seashell access codes and New Year’s dances in the Bahamas lingered — a reminder that even the most serious rooms in Washington are not immune to a little humor, history, and human connection.