The Federal Reserve faces these 3 unknowns ahead of its September meeting

"In a sign of how unusual this week's Federal Reserve meeting is, the decision it will make on interest rates - usually the main event - is just one of the key unknowns to be resolved when officials gather Tuesday and Wednesday.For now, it's not even clear who will be there. The meeting will likely include Lisa Cook, an embattled governor, unless an appeals court or the Supreme Court rules in favor of an effort"

"Meanwhile, the U.S. economy is mired in uncertainty. Hiring has slowed sharply, while inflation remains stubbornly high.So a key question for the Fed is: Do they worry more about people who are out of work and struggling to find jobs, or do they focus more on the struggles many Americans face in keeping up with rising costs for groceries and other items? The Fed's mandate from Congress requires it to seek both stable prices and full employment."

Federal Reserve officials face multiple uncertainties at their meeting, including pending legal and nomination questions that may affect attendance. The Fed must weigh weaker hiring against persistent inflation when setting policy under its dual mandate of stable prices and full employment. Policymakers have signaled greater concern about soft labor markets, prompting expectations of a quarter-point rate cut to about 4.1 percent. Stubborn inflation could force a cautious pace and limit the number of reductions. The Fed will release quarterly economic projections likely showing one or two additional cuts this year and further reductions next year. The meeting contrasts with clearer policy calls during the pandemic and the 2021–22 inflation surge.

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