Janet Yellen’s confirmation hearing for Treasury secretary centers on the pandemic.

Janet Yellen’s confirmation hearing for Treasury secretary centers on the pandemic.

Janet Yellen's confirmation hearing for Treasury secretary centers on the pandemic.Videotranscriptbars0:00/2:23-0:00transcript‘More Must Be Done,' Yellen Says of Aiding EconomyAt her Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Janet L. Yellen, the nominee for Treasury secretary, spoke of economic damage during the coronavirus pandemic and plans for relief.“When economists look back on the pandemic, I expect they'll conclude the Congress's actions averted a lot of suffering, but more must be done. Economists don't always agree, but I think there is a consensus now, without further action, we risk a longer and more painful recession now, and longer-term scarring of the economy later. Neither the president-elect nor I proposed this relief package without an appreciation for the country's debt burden. But right now, with interest rates at historic lows, the smartest thing we can do is act big. In the long run, I believe the benefits will far outweigh the costs, especially if we care about helping people who've been struggling for a very long time. As Treasury secretary, I think it will be a dual mission to helping Americans endure the final months of this pandemic, keeping people safe while getting them back to work. That's our first task. But then there's the