'WASHINGTON The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, told a Congressional committee Tuesday that lawmakers and the Obama administration should do more to increase economic growth. Mr. Bernanke described the nations economic health in bleak terms, saying that the recovery is close to faltering, and suggested that avoiding another recession might require fresh government action. We need to make sure that the recovery continues and doesnt drop back, he said. Such talk from a Fed chairman usually means the central bank is preparing to reduce interest rates, and Mr. Bernanke said that the Fed was not ruling out such a step. But on Tuesday, as at other recent appearances, he made clear that his remarks were aimed at the rest of the government.... ...'Members of the Joint Economic Committee, where Mr. Bernanke answered questions for about 90 minutes Tuesday, pressed both of those arguments. But Mr. Bernanke remained firm in his position that the Fed already had done a great deal, and that it might do more but not right now. The central bank, he said, is prepared to take further action as appropriate to promote a stronger economic recovery in the context of price stability.' http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/business/economy/fed-chief-raises-doubts-on-recovery.html
