Who?
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) — Ranking Member, House Financial Services Committee
LISTEN: Laslo & Waters
Ask a Pol asks:
What do you make of what’s happened to the crypto measures — over in the Senate, seems they’re getting closer to a deal?
Key Waters:
“We’ve done just about all that’s going to be done, certainly this year,” Rep. Maxine Waters exclusively tells Ask a Pol Crypto. “We’ve got a long way to go.”
Caught our ear:
“It has growing bipartisanship, but you don’t know how that’s going to play out during the campaigns,” Waters tells us of her outlook for the New Year.
Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), slightly edited for clarity.
TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Maxine Waters
SCENE: After voting on the floor of the US House of Representatives on a crisp evening, 17-term Congresswoman Maxine Waters is waiting for her rideshare on a sidewalk outside the Capitol’s main House entrance as her colleagues, aides and Capitol Police officers scurry about causing mini-traffic chaos.
Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo sees the powerful progressive alone, so he slides in for a quick crypto update.
Matt Laslo: “I haven’t seen you in so long.”
Maxine Waters: “Hi.”
ML: “What have you thought of what’s happened to the crypto measures — it seems like in the Senate they’re close to a deal?”
MW: “Well, I think we’ve done just about all that’s going to be done, certainly this year. We have a long way to go with crypto.”
ML: “Yeah?”
MW: “You know, stablecoin* may have a chance…”
*the GENIUS Act was signed into law by President Trump in July. The Senate has yet to take up the House-passed CLARITY Act, which would determine whether stablecoins fall under the SEC or CFTC.
ICYMI — Summer refresher…
MW: “…but I’m not so sure. We’ve got a long way to go.”
ML: “Yeah?”
MW: “Yeah.”
ML: “Well, I mean, the shutdown ate up so much prime legislative real estate.”
MW: “Yes.”
ML: “Yeah? But crypto’ s so bipartisan, do you think it actually might have a shot in the election year next year?”
A large, if quiet, SUV pulls up in back of Laslo who’s got one foot on the curb.
MW: “Oh, be careful.”
ML: “Yes, ma’am.”
Laslo takes a step away from the curb.
MW: “Yeah, it has growing bipartisanship, but you don’t know how that’s going to play out during the campaigns, where some people will be using it in a positive way but others will be using it in a very negative way.”
ML: “Yeah?”
MW: “So, it may be some changing...”
A large dark SUV rolls up slowly.
MW: “Is this my car?”
ML: “Is that you?”
MW: “Intend to go find out.”
ML: “Virginia? You got a staffer coming?”
MW: “Oh no, I have a driver coming.”
ML: “Oh, nice.”
MW: “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
ML: “And they’re coming to this side?”
MW: “What?”
ML: “I always get confused with those [apps].”
Laslo laughs at his small talk.
MW: “With the fire in the tunnel, I think he might get a little mixed up.”
ML: “Yeah? And that was just — a fire in the tunnel? One of the cars?”
Waters nods yes.
ML: “Ooh — nobody was hurt?”
MW: “No, no.”
MW: “Good.”
Laslo stands there awkwardly as the Congresswoman tries to find her Lyft.
ML: “I just feel bad. I don’t want to leave you out here alone.”
MW: “It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m fine.”
ML: “You’re good?”
MW: “The Capitol Police are out here.”
ML: “Yes. Yes, ma’am.”
MW: “Thank you.”
The Congresswoman continues looking at her app.
ML: “Have a good one. Be well.”
Laslo walks back to the Capitol.
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