Economics

Democrats Criticize Fed for Lack of Diversity in Leadership

  • Sanders, Warren call on Yellen to add women, minorities
  • Regional Fed boards overwhelmingly white men, says letter

Senator Elizabeth Warren listens during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Feb. 11, 2016.

Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
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The U.S. Federal Reserve came under criticism Thursday from some lawmakers over the lack of diversity in the central bank’s leadership.

A majority of Democratic members of Congress -- 11 from the Senate and 116 from the House of Representatives -- signed a letter addressed to Janet Yellen, calling on the Fed chair to include more African Americans, Latinos and women when it considers candidates for top posts. The letter was written by staff for Representative John Conyers of Michigan, according to Ady Barkan of the Fed Up campaign, an activist group that lobbied members of Congress to add their names. No Republicans signed.