Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell will brief House Democrats on the economy next week at their annual policy retreat — an unusual appearance by a Republican appointee before a group that has aggressively challenged President Trump during its three-month majority. Powell, appointed by Trump and confirmed by the Senate last year, will appear at the behest of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who are focusing the April 10-12 retreat on economic issues. Powell has come under fire from Trump for raising interest rates four times last year. Last year, Trump asked advisers whether he has the power to fire Powell, two people familiar with the exchanges told The Washington Post. The Democratic retreat, set to be held in Leesburg, Va., was rescheduled from its original mid-February date because of the lengthy government shutdown.

Source: Washington Post April 02, 2019 14:54 UTC