US Senate panel to hold Greenspan hearing Wednesday
WASHINGTON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Banking Committee said the renomination hearing of Federal
Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan would be held on Wednesday starting at 2 p.m. (1900 GMT).
The hearing was originally scheduled for 10 a.m. (1500 GMT).
The Banking Committee did not meet on Tuesday because a surprise winter snowstorm in the nation's capital shut down
the government.
President Bill Clinton reappointed the 73-year-old Greenspan for a fourth term. Once approved by the committee, the reappointment will be put to a full
vote on the Senate floor.
The Senate Banking hearing is scheduled just days before the U.S. economic expansion enters its 107th month in February, making it the longest on record,
overtaking the 1961-69 expansion.
Sen. Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, has suggested he will vote against Greenspan's reappointment because he contends that the Fed is not
accountable enough to the public.
Some analysts say Greenspan's age could be a problem. If he serves out his full four-year term, he will then be 78. Some Fed watchers have speculated he
may quit halfway through to make way for a younger successor.