Ben Carson's first hearing before Maxine Waters' committee was a disaster

Tuesday, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary, testified before the Financial Services Committee of Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) for the first time since Waters became President in January. His performance is not good.

Carson – a former brain surgeon and Republican presidential candidate that President Donald Trump appointed his HUD secretary in 2017 despite the complete lack of relevant experience – attempted to defend a budget proposal that would reduce of 16.4% the budget of the HUD. He was also questioned about a plan announced by the HUD last year to impose rent increases of up to 150% to people living in subsidized housing.

But in trying to explain these proposals, Carson has shown a shocking condescension towards members of Congress, as well as a lack of familiarity with basic housing terminology. .

During an exchange with Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), Carson revealed that he did not know the common acronym used to describe foreclosed properties – REO, which refers to real estate properties .

"Do you know what an REO is?" Porter asked.

"An Oreo?" Carson answered, apparently thinking about cookies.

After Porter patiently reinstated him, Carson offered to put him in touch with "people who do it" (transaction on foreclosed property) at HUD, apparently unaware of the fact that Porter, before reporting to Congress, was the independent supervision of banks in California. in a $ 25 billion mortgage settlement nationwide.

"Respectfully, it was my daily job before I arrived at Congress," Porter said. "I spent a decade working with HUD people on this problem."

Porter then posted the video of the exchange on Twitter.

In another memorable exchange, Carson refused to answer the direct questions of Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) about the consequences of the budget cuts proposed by the HUD.

"Yes or no, is stable, safe housing a social determinant of health?" Asked Pressley.

"It looks like you did not come here and I heard most of my testimonials," Carson said.

"Please, just answer the question and get my time back," said Pressley. "Yes or no – is stable, safe housing a social determinant of health?"

"Oh, there is no doubt that housing is an important part of health," said Carson, always avoiding. Instead of answering the questions, he tried to reverse the situation by expressing his frustration at seeing Pressley turn a blind eye to the prepared notes and telling him to "ask me questions and stop reading."

During cooking, Carson told Pressley that he "was getting my time back". But as Pressley pointed out, witnesses at the hearing "can not do that".

Committee Chair Peter Waters also criticized HUD's plan to reduce the amount of housing assistance as "scandalous", and a separate plan to ban undocumented immigrants from subsidized housing as "cruel" .

"The ministry is actively harming," Waters told him. Carson responded by saying that HUD's goal was to "find better and more effective ways to not leave people in a situation of dependency."

During an exchange with Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Carson dismissed a question as to whether HUD had envisioned the fate of tens of thousands of children who would be rendered homeless by the proposal of Undocumented immigrants, telling him: "Maybe you and Congress will do your job and solve the problem. "

After the hearing, Carson tried to make fun of his ignorance on Twitter.

Carson's performance is a reminder of how another Trump senior executive, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, acted at a hearing before the Waters committee last month. On this occasion, an exasperated Mnuchin – apparently worried about missing an "important meeting" – told Waters to "dismiss everyone, please." I think you're supposed to take the gravel [sic] and hit him. "

"Please, do not tell me how I'm going to lead this committee," Waters replied in an exchange that quickly became viral.

---

The new advance quickly. To stay up to date, follow Aaron Rupar on Twitter, and read more Political and political coverage of Vox.