Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement

Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace. Job gains have removed: moderated, added: slowed, and the unemployment rate has moved up but remains low. Inflation has removed: eased over the past year but remains somewhat elevated. In recent months, there has been some added: made further progress toward the Committee's 2 percent removed: inflation objective. added: objective but remains somewhat elevated.

The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. The Committee added: has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent, and judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals removed: continue to move into better added: are roughly in balance. The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate.

In removed: support added: light of removed: its goals, added: the progress on inflation and the balance of risks, the Committee decided to removed: maintain added: lower the target range for the federal funds rate removed: at 5-1/4 added: by 1/2 percentage point to removed: 5-1/2 added: 4-3/4 to 5 percent. In considering removed: any added: additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee removed: does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent. In addition, the Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage‑backed securities. The Committee is strongly committed to added: supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.

In assessing the appropriate stance of monetary policy, the Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook. The Committee would be prepared to adjust the stance of monetary policy as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of the Committee's goals. The Committee's assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.

Voting for the monetary policy action were Jerome H. Powell, Chair; John C. Williams, Vice Chair; Thomas I. Barkin; Michael S. Barr; Raphael W. Bostic; removed: Michelle W. Bowman; Lisa D. Cook; Mary C. Daly; removed: Austan D. Goolsbee; added: Beth M. Hammack; Philip N. Jefferson; Adriana D. Kugler; and Christopher J. Waller. removed: Austan D. Goolsbee voted as an alternate member added: Voting against this action was Michelle W. Bowman, who preferred to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point at this meeting.