Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen incidentally inspired some bipartisanship in the House on Wednesday when she didn't appear to testify before the House Small Business Committee about COVID-19 relief funding. The pushback to the no-show, PBS' Lisa Desjardins notes, is "unusual."
Republican members, perhaps unsurprisingly, were vocal about their displeasure. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), for example, called it a "slap in the face to small businesses." But Democrats were unhappy, as well. Rep. Nydia Valazquez (D-N.Y.), the committee chair, said that by declining to appear, Yellen is "in complete disregard for the law," likely referring to stipulations in December's relief package.
Per Fox News, the Treasury Department explained that Yellen has a packed schedule these days, implying it was too tough to slot in Wednesday's hearing. Velazquez and the committee's GOP ranking member, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), told PBS they understand Yellen is busy, but maintained their insistence that she testify.
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