likely to remain near zero for a considerable time after the asset purchases end perhaps well after the unep employment this remember hold is lost. and the data supports the beginning of the removal of the policy accommodation. i began my time as chairman with the goal of increasing the transparency of the federal reserve and of monetary policy in particular. in response to a financial crisis, the feds monetary policy communications have proved a far more important tool that evolved in different ways than it would have envisioned eight years ago. the economy has made significant progress since the depths of the recession. however, we are still far from where we would like to be, and consequently, it may be some time before monetary policy returns to more normal settings. i agree with the sentiment expressed by my colleague janet yellin at her testimony next week. that the surest path to a more normal approach is to do all we can today to promote a more robust recovery. the fomc remains committed to maintain a highly accommodative policy for as long as needed. communication about policy is li