U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on the semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testifies before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on the semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington March 1, 2011. The recent surge in oil prices is unlikely to have a big impact on the U.S. economy, but could dampen growth and raise inflation if sustained, Bernanke said on Tuesday. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES – Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS IMAGES OF THE DAY)