Powell said that government support has so far prevented a recessionary “downward spiral.”
Energy producers and tech companies led the way.
America’s employers added 661,000 jobs in September, the third straight month of slower hiring.
U.S. stock futures and Asian shares fell Friday after the president said he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive.
The Labor Department’s report suggests that companies are still cutting a historically high number of jobs.
IRS figures indicate that the average tax filer paid roughly $12,200 in 2017, about 16 times more than what the president paid.
An aide familiar with the leadership discussions said the new bill would total about $2.4 trillion and is likely to contain additional relief for the airline and restaurant sectors.
Jobless claims have held steady at just over 800,000 in recent weeks.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to 860,000.
The moves are occurring against the backdrop of an improving yet still weak economy.
