Maxine Waters Tries to Pull Fast One and End FTX Hearing, But GOP Rep Stops Her Dead in Her Tracks

Having been arrested the previous day in the Bahamas, the star of the show, Sam Bankman-Fried, was unable to attend Tuesday’s House Financial Services Committee hearing on the stunning collapse of FTX. But as they say, the show, presided over by the petulant and uber entitled committee chair, Rep. 👤Maxine Waters, went on.

The congresswoman from California has grown accustomed to having her own way in the Democratic-controlled 🏛️Congress and was clearly not pleased when Texas Rep. Lance Gooden, a Republican, challenged her authority. Waters tried to end the hearing before Gooden was allowed to question the witness, current FTX CEO John Ray III.

As Waters delivered her closing remarks, Gooden interrupted to remind her. “Chairwoman Waters, Chairwoman Waters, I’ve not had the opportunity to testify — or to question the witness.”

Waters stopped speaking as an aide whispered something into her ear, and unbelievably, she ignored Gooden and returned to her closing remarks.

Raising his voice, Gooden said, “Chairwoman Waters. Parliamentary inquiry. Are all members entitled to question witnesses?”

Following a brief back and forth, the obviously unhappy Waters allowed him five minutes to question Ray.

“Thank you, Madam Chair.”

In a sarcastic tone of voice, Waters replied, “You’re certainly welcome, sir.”