On Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that the U.S. economic recovery is "strong but incomplete". Powell seemed to implore Congress for further fiscal support.
In prepared remarks for a webcast speech to the National Association for Business Economics in Chicago, Powell mentioned that a subdued policy response could thwart the US recovery dynamics.
According to Powell, less support is riskier for the economy that spending too much.
Powell said the broadest measure of unemployment is at around 11%. He mentioned that around 22 million jobs have been lost since the coronavirus pandemic reared its head in early March, and noted the current outlook remains "highly uncertain".
Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Washington continue to debate the size of the next coronavirus relief bill.