WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Wednesday that he has confidence the unfolding economic recovery will have staying power, although it won’t be strong enough to bring quick relief to high unemployment.

Bernanke, testifying before Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, seemed slightly more optimistic that the gradual recovery will continue after government stimulus spending fades later this year. Incoming economic barometers suggest that growth in demand by consumers and businesses “will be sufficient to promote a moderate economic recovery in coming quarters,” he said.

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Fed chief Ben Bernanke testifies Wednesday at a Joint Economic Committee hearing on the economy. The Associated Press

In fact, the odds of a “double dip” recession, where the economy would start shrinking again, have receded, Bernanke said.

Bernanke also called once again for lawmakers and the White House to come up with a plan to whittle down record-high budget deficits. Even though sizable deficits right now are “unavoidable” given the damage wrought by the recession, the persistence of red ink raises risks to the country’s long-term economic health, he said.

A credible plan to pare the deficit could benefit the economy, lowering longer-term interest rates and increasing consumer and business confidence, Bernanke told lawmakers.

“Addressing the country’s fiscal problems will require difficult choices, but postponing them will only make them more difficult,” he warned.

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