U.S. consumer prices rose faster than expected in January in a sign progress on inflation may remain stalled, data showed on Wednesday, as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell heads to the U.S. Congress for a second day of testimony.

Inflation picked up for a fourth straight month in January amid another rise in in food and energy costs, possibly setting the stage for a year of halting progress in the battle to slow consumer price increases as President Trump rolls out myriad import tariffs.

Consumer prices rose 3%, extending a recent pattern of increases at the start of the year that likely derails the prospect for Fed rate cuts so long as the economy remains solid.