These Maxine Waters "Reclaiming My Time" Memes & Tweets Are All Kinds Of Fire

Last Thursday, California Rep. Maxine Waters once again proved she won't tolerate nonsense. During a hearing conducted by the House Financial Services Committee, Waters questioned Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on why he hadn't responded to a letter she'd sent about President Trump's financial connections to the Russian government. Mnuchin sidestepped the question several times, prompting Waters to repeatedly declare that she was "reclaiming my time," a phrase used to reset the clock when people stall during questioning by a House member. While that may have been the definition of the phrase, in no time, memes jokes, and tributes were spreading like wildfire on social media.

"Thank you very much, I don't want to take my time up with how great I am."

Mnuchin first tried to soften Waters' demeanor with flattery: "First of all, let me thank you for your service to California. Being a resident of California, I appreciate everything that you've done for the community there..." But Waters could see the direction Mnuchin wanted to take and immediately said, "Thank you very much, I don't want to take my time up with how great I am."

Mnuchin continued praising the California representative, prompting Waters to break in with the now-viral phrase: "Reclaiming my time, reclaiming my time." House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling then granted Waters her reclaimed time.

Waters reiterated her question — "Is there some reason why I did not get a response to the letter that I sent May 23rd?" — numerous times and in every instance, Mnuchin failed to immediately provide an answer, compelling Waters to reclaim her time yet again. "Just please, go straight to the answer," she urged him at one point.

Waters' insistence on getting straight to business was inspirational to women and people of color — and, above all, to black women — who related to the experience of being spoken over and having their time wasted. Check out how some reacted to Waters' latest viral moment.

Most Of The World For The Next Three And A Half Years

Truly

Definitely Think So

Same

The New Way To Handle Small Talk

This Needs To Exist

Can't Blame You

Men Better Get Ready

That's Right

Billboard #1 Album Material

Seriously, We Need This

One Long Thesis...

Yep

Adjust That Attitude Around Maxine

One Of The Best Things To Happen In 2017

It Works In So Many Situations

Good Question

She's Too Right

Just Get To The Point

When You Already KNOW You're Great

Already Bringing Results

Keep It Simple

Next Time You Get Hit With A Pickup Line...

This Phrase Is Going To Get A LOT Of Use

Along With Your Time, There's A Lot Else To Reclaim

On Friday, Waters shared a tweet by Racquel Willis, national organizer of the Transgender Law Center, embracing "reclaiming my time" as her new catchphrase.