Bernanke to testify Wednesday before House Budget Committee

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will testify about the economy at a House Budget Committee hearing on Wednesday.

Bernanke will talk about "the state of the economy" at 10 a.m., the committee said Monday.

His testimony comes as House Democrats started debate on whether they should pass more stimulus spending to sustain an economic recovery or pay more attention to growing deficits.

Freshmen and Blue Dog Democrats forced House leaders last month to pare down a nearly $200 billion bill that extended jobless benefits and tax breaks because of concerns about red ink. But liberals, noting the May jobs report that showed a 9.7 percent unemployment rate and job growth more tepid than expected, have pointed to a need for more jobs programs, such as a $23 billion fund to retain teachers.