Jack Speer is a newscaster at NPR in Washington, DC. In this role he reports, writes, edits, and produces live hourly updates which air during NPR programming.
A new energy bill sets up a Senate debate on a measure to increase fuel economy standards. It would require that cars, trucks and SUVs achieve an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. That's 10 miles per gallon over current levels.
In a visit to Capitol Hill, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tells lawmakers he does not believe that continued weakness in the housing sector will push the economy into a recession.