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Release Date: September 20, 2006
For immediate release
The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate at
5-1/4 percent.
The moderation in economic growth appears to be continuing, partly reflecting a cooling of the
housing market.
Readings on core inflation have been elevated, and the high levels of resource utilization and of the
prices of energy and other commodities have the potential to sustain inflation pressures. However,
inflation pressures seem likely to moderate over time, reflecting reduced impetus from energy
prices, contained inflation expectations, and the cumulative effects of monetary policy actions and
other factors restraining aggregate demand.
Nonetheless, the Committee judges that some inflation risks remain. The extent and timing of any
additional firming that may be needed to address these risks will depend on the evolution of the
outlook for both inflation and economic growth, as implied by incoming information.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F.
Geithner, Vice Chairman; Susan S. Bies; Jack Guynn; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner;
Frederic S. Mishkin; Sandra Pianalto; Kevin M. Warsh; and Janet L. Yellen. Voting against was
Jeffrey M. Lacker, who preferred an increase of 25 basis points in the federal funds rate target at this
meeting.