A House Financial Services Committee hearing turned contentious Tuesday when Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen was questioned about President Joe Biden’s cognitive health. The exchange underscored the ongoing concerns about Biden’s mental fitness following his shaky performance during a recent debate with former President Donald Trump.
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York initiated the questioning, asking Yellen if she had observed any cognitive decline in Biden during their meetings. “The president is extremely effective in the meetings that I’ve been in with him,” Yellen replied, citing multi-hour international meetings. Lawler pressed further, leading to an intervention from Democratic Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, who argued that Yellen was not qualified to diagnose cognitive issues.
Lawler countered that he was asking for Yellen’s personal observations as a cabinet member. The exchange grew heated when Beatty demanded that Lawler’s remarks be stricken from the record. The committee’s presiding officer, Republican Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri, called for order.
Lawler continued by asking if there had been any discussions among cabinet secretaries about invoking the 25th Amendment. Yellen responded with a firm, “No.”
The questioning comes as Biden faces increasing scrutiny over his age and mental fitness, with some Democrats urging him to reconsider his re-election bid. Incidents such as Biden claiming to have spoken with deceased leaders and multiple physical falls have fueled these concerns.
