Yellen Urges Congress to ‘Act Big’ on Relief Despite Debt Burden

U.S. Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen speaks during an event to name then-President-elect Joe Biden’s economic team at the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Del., on Dec. 1, 2020. Alex Wong/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—During her Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19, Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen championed President Joe Biden’s economic policies and urged lawmakers to provide further fiscal support to avert “a longer, more painful recession.”

“Over the next few months, we are going to need more aid,” Yellen said in her opening remarks.