Washington  - US Secretary Timothy Geithner fired back at his opponents during a testy congressional hearing Thursday, rejecting calls for his resignation and defending the administration's economic policies.

In a rare public outburst, Geithner tore into former president George W Bush's administration for causing the economic turmoil that President Barack Obama now finds himself in. He argued the US would still be in recession were it not for Obama's actions since entering office.

"The public has lost confidence in this president's ability to handle the economy," Republican congressman Kevin Brady told Geithner during a hearing of a joint economic committee of the Senate and House of Representatives. "For the sake of our jobs, will you step down from your post?"

"Congressman, it is a great privilege for me to serve this president," Geithner responded. The exchanges between Brady and Geithner grew louder over the next five minutes.

"What I can't take responsibility is for the legacy of crises you've bequeathed this country," Geithner fired back at the Republican lawmaker.

Geithner's job is considered secure, and many Democrats rose to his defence during the hearing. But a small number of left-leaning lawmakers have also suggested it is time for Geithner to go, complaining that the administration has not done enough to revive job growth after the deepest US recession in seven decades.

Obama has faced pressure to do more to revive the economy as the unemployment rate climbed to 10.2 per cent in October, the worst in 26 years. The administration can point to third-quarter growth of 3.5 per cent, signalling an end to the long recession that began in December 2007. (dpa)