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Powell: Fed's 'significant' political protection makes public outreach an 'obligation'

Published 10/09/2019, 12:23 PM
Updated 10/09/2019, 12:23 PM
Powell: Fed's 'significant' political protection makes public outreach an 'obligation'

Powell: Fed's 'significant' political protection makes public outreach an 'obligation'

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Reuters) - The "significant" protection the U.S. Federal Reserve has from short-term political pressures also gives it an obligation to "clearly explain" monetary policy, Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said on Wednesday.

"Because Congress has granted the Federal Reserve significant protections from short-term political pressures, we have an obligation to clearly explain what we are doing and why. And we have an obligation to actively engage the people we serve so that they and their elected representatives can hold us accountable," Powell said.

Speaking at a community listening event, Powell tied the Fed's year-long series of such events to its standing as a politically independent organization - a status it has fought to ensure in the face of steady criticism from President Donald Trump. The ability to make interest rate decisions free from how that may impact a political leaders' poll standings is considered important for effective central banking.

The guards against political pressure on the Fed include 14-year terms for members of its Washington-based Board of Governors, which means in theory that only a two-term president can appoint a majority of board members. It also includes protections for the Fed chair, who, once appointed by a president and confirmed by the Senate, cannot be removed over disagreements about policy.

Powell was appointed by Trump and took office for a four- year term in early 2018.

Powell has not taken the Fed's independent status for granted, however, and has kept both a steady presence on Capitol Hill in meetings with members of Congress, and boosted the Fed's public presence through events like the one in Kansas City. It is the 13th "Fed Listens" event the Fed has held this year, where regional bank presidents and visiting board members have heard from businesses and community groups about how they see the local economy and the Fed's impact on it.

Powell repeated in brief opening remarks that the economy was "in a good place," but told the group of business people and community group representatives here that the Fed's job "is to keep it there as long as possible."

Latest comments

Hawk
Can he tell us how senior citizens on a fixed income will be able to survive his 2-3% inflation. P.S if inflation were measured like it was back in the 80's it would be more like 10%.
In that they will be earning nothing with interest rates so low? Essentially, they won’t be able to. Soc Sec will also go bankrupt much faster, so there is that, too...
How about explaining the fact that fed is a major cause of abnormal inequality of income and wealth. and hence lower purchasing power of maiden americans
Powell you a legend!
I will tell us public how i am plugging holes in a sinking ship by printing money and loosing intrinsic value
Well done, Powell
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