Federal Reserve Meets to Decide Interest Rates
聯準會召開會議決定利率
Several times a year, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) gathers to make a decision that ripples through the entire U.S. economy: setting interest rates.
聯邦公開市場委員會(FOMC)每年召開數次會議，做出影響整個美國經濟的決定：設定利率。
The FOMC is a group of 12 officials responsible for the country's monetary policy.
FOMC是由12位負責國家貨幣政策的官員所組成。
Their primary mission is the "dual mandate," which aims to achieve maximum employment while maintaining price stability by keeping inflation near 2%.
他們的首要任務是「雙重使命」，旨在透過將通貨膨脹率保持在2%附近來實現最大就業，同時維持物價穩定。
To reach these goals, they adjust the federal funds rate—the interest rate banks charge each other for overnight loans.
為了達到這些目標，他們會調整聯邦基金利率——即銀行間隔夜拆款的利率。
If the economy is growing too fast, the Fed might raise rates to combat inflation.
如果經濟成長過快，聯準會(Fed)可能會調升利率以抑制通貨膨脹。
Conversely, if the economy needs a boost, they might lower rates to encourage spending.
反之，如果經濟需要刺激，他們可能會調降利率以鼓勵消費。
By operating independently of political influence, the Federal Reserve strives to make objective decisions that protect the long-term health of the economy for every American.
聯準會透過獨立於政治影響之外的運作，致力於做出客觀的決策，以維護每位美國人長期的經濟健康。
