Kevin Hassett
Chairman, White House Council of Economic Advisers
Kevin Allen Hassett was born in March 1962 in Greenfield, Massachusetts. He earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Swarthmore College, and earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
He was an assistant professor of economics at Columbia Business School, later becoming an associate professor there. He worked with the Division of Research and Statistics at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and was a policy consultant to the U.S. Treasury Department during the George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations. He was the director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and wrote columns for many financial and other newspapers and media.
He was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, confirmed by the Senate, and sworn in in September 2017. He recently announced his departure from that position which will be finalized in the coming weeks.
Hassett is married to Kristie and they have two children.
In the News…
Nearly 3 million Americans applied for jobless benefits last week, compared to the weekly increase of some 5 million across the past two months. White House Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett believes that signals a turnaround in the American economy.
“So, what we expect now is that claims will continue to decline as the economy turns back,” he said. “I think Americans want their economy back, and the claims data coming in below 3 million…suggests that it’s beginning to happen. The places that are turning on could actually see claims go way back down towards normal.”
He explained the numbers are better than previously predicted but noted up to 36 million Americans remain out of work.
“The unemployment insurance claims coming in a little bit north of 2.9 million is still a very tough number,” he said.
Nearly 3 million Americans applied for jobless benefits last week, compared to the weekly increase of some 5 million across the past two months. White House Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett believes that signals a turnaround in the American economy.
“So, what we expect now is that claims will continue to decline as the economy turns back,” he said. “I think Americans want their economy back, and the claims data coming in below 3 million…suggests that it’s beginning to happen. The places that are turning on could actually see claims go way back down towards normal.”
He explained the numbers are better than previously predicted but noted up to 36 million Americans remain out of work.
“The unemployment insurance claims coming in a little bit north of 2.9 million is still a very tough number,” he said.
Hassett said economic recovery may be quicker in different parts of the country, while the overall picture remains volatile as many restrictions remain in place.
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Dr. Hassett today? You can let him know at:
Dr. Kevin Hassett, Chairman
White House Council of Economic Advisers
The White House
Washington, DC 20502
