WASHINGTON (MNI) – The following is an excerpt from Federal Reserve
Chairman Ben Bernanke’s semi-annual hearing Q&A session Wednesday for
the House Financial Services Committee:

BERNANKE: It is sort of a pattern we’ve seen for the last few years
that things seem to be stronger in the beginning of the year and then
slow down around the spring and summer, so we will try to asses whether
this is just a temporary slowdown or whether something more fundamental
is happening. Again, we are committed to doing what is necessary to make
sure the recovery continues and that employment continues to grow.

** MNI Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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