The US is on ‘inequality autopilot’ – how can Biden's treasury pick help change course?

Janet Yellen will likely be the US's first female treasury secretary - but as Covid shutdowns loom, she will have to win Republican votes for any major initiatives

Teresa Marez has never heard of Janet Yellen, likely to be the next treasury secretary of the United States. But she and millions of other Americans have a lot riding on the decisions Yellen will make if and when she is confirmed next year.

The coronavirus has upended Marez's life. Her savings are almost exhausted and she is worried about her unemployment benefits, which run out next week. It's so hard. It's just such a mess," said the mother of two in San Antonio, Texas. We just need Congress to make a decision," Marez said. As long as they are in limbo, we are in limbo."