What changed in the Federal Reserve statement —
Federal Reserve held policy at 3.00%. The vote was 11-1. Read the official statement and the previous release side by side below.
Decision
- Decision: hold
- Fed funds rate: 3.00%
- Vote: 11-1
Dissenters
- Stephen Miran — preferred cut
Going into the decision
On the day, the committee read as dovish — -0.5 on a scale where +3 means every member wants higher rates and −3 means every member wants cuts.
Reconstructed from official member remarks published before the decision date. 14 of 17 active members had stored official remarks.
Official statement
March 18, 2026
Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement
For release at 2:00 p.m. EDT Share
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Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has been little changed in recent months. Inflation remains somewhat elevated.
The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. The implications of developments in the Middle East for the U.S. economy are uncertain. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate.
In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3‑1/2 to 3‑3/4 percent. In considering the extent and timing of 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 is strongly committed to 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; Michael S. Barr; Michelle W. Bowman; Lisa D. Cook; Beth M. Hammack; Philip N. Jefferson; Neel Kashkari; Lorie K. Logan; Anna Paulson; and Christopher J. Waller. Voting against this action was Stephen I. Miran, who preferred to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/4 percentage point at this meeting.
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Implementation Note issued March 18, 2026
Related
Full meeting record · Press conference transcript · Previous statement · Next statement
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