WASHINGTON — Chairman Ben Bernanke said this morning that the Federal Reserve is prepared to take further steps to lift the U.S. economy if it weakens. But he didn’t signal any imminent action in testimony before a congressional panel.

Bernanke said the European debt crisis poses significant risks to the U.S. financial markets. And he noted that U.S. unemployment remains high and the outlook for inflation subdued.

“As always, the Federal Reserve remains prepared to take action as needed to protect the U.S. financial system and economy in the event that financial stresses escalate,” Bernanke told the congressional Joint Economic Committee.

Most economists don’t expect further moves at the Fed’s next policy meeting June 19-20, despite some signals from other Fed members in recent days. They note that long-term rates have already touched record lows.

Even if rates did decline further, analysts say they might have little effect on the economy.

John Ryding and Conrad DeQuadros, economists at RDQ Economics, said there was nothing in the testimony to “tip Bernanke’s hand” ahead of the June meeting of the Federal Open Markets Committee, the Fed’s policy committee.