Yellen: inflation to ‘remain high;’ hopes it’s ‘coming down’

Yellen: inflation to ‘remain high;’ hopes it’s ‘coming down’

FILE - In this March 5, 2012, file photo, consumer credit cards are posed in North Andover, Mass. Consumers' budgets aren't the only avenue to free up money as prices continue to rise due to inflation. The credit cards in consumers' wallets may be packing some valuable perks and potential breathing room to cover large purchases. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has acknowledged that she and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell “could have used a better word” than transitory when describing the expected run of inflation in the U.S. economy. Yellen says she remains hopeful it will decline. But she told the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday that “I do expect inflation to remain high although I very much hope that it will be coming down now.” Yellen added that “bringing inflation down” should be the number one priority. Treasury and the Federal Reserve have been increasingly blamed by legislators and the public for allowing inflation to reach record highs.

Photo: FILE – In this March 5, 2012, file photo, consumer credit cards are posed in North Andover, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)