Bernanke, Fed Under Fire

The head of the Federal Reserve takes a lot of heat, but this year the U.S. central bank is taking more criticism than ever. Amid higher unemployment and bank bailouts, the Associated Press predicts that the Senate confirmation hearings for Ben Bernanke may be the site of heated debate. The hearings could begin as early as next month. Adding to the Fed's trouble is Congress's effort to strip it of many of its regulatory powers, spreading them out to other organizations.