Mnuchin wants debt hike by recess

While he would prefer if Congress raised Treasury's borrowing limit before its August break, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a televised interview, even if a deal is not reached, the government will be "fine" until they return in September.

Regarding long bonds, Mnuchin told CNBC, no decision has been made as Treasury studies the costs and benefits of 50-year and 100-year bonds.

Turning to the Fed, Mnuchin called plans to reduce its balance sheet "the right thing" to do. National Economic Council chief Gary Cohn has been interviewing to fill vacancies on the Board of Governors, Mnuchin said, but there’s no decision yet on Chair Janet Yellen’s possible reappointment.

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Steven Mnuchin, U.S. treasury secretary, speaks inside the Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. With U.S. President Donald Trump's Treasury secretary finally in place, finance chiefs around the world have a direct link into an administration not shy about criticizing foreign currency policies. Photographer: Olivier Douliery/Pool via Bloomberg

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Treasurys Treasury bonds Steven Mnuchin Treasury Department
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