Bernanke's Date with the Senate Banking Committee: Tuesday, July 17

Ben Bernanke will appear before the Senate Banking Committee on July 17, for his semiannual report.

 The Fed chief is required under the Federal Reserve Act to testify before the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees twice each year.

This year’s appearances come as the Fed is weighing whether to launch another full-scale program to help boost the economy.

Last month, the central bank chose to extend its current program, known as “Operation Twist,” through the end of the year. The Fed has maintained since January that it expects to keep short-term interest rates near Zero at least through late 2014.

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