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Federal Reserve holds a key interest rate steady amid growing economic pressures

NPR | By Scott Horsley,

Mary Louise Kelly

Published March 18, 2026 at 3:07 PM CDT

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady today. The central bank is wrestling with a lot of uncertainty with a weak job market and stubborn inflation.

Scott Horsley

Scott Horsley is NPR's Chief Economics Correspondent. He reports on ups and downs in the national economy as well as fault lines between booming and busting communities.

Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly is a co-host of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine.