Jerome Powell speech: Fed does not consider political factors in deciding policy

Jerome Powell, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, is now responding to questions from the press, with key quotes (via Reuters) found below.
Fed does not consider political factors in deciding policy.
Hard to be confident that rates need to be above neutral level in 2020, 2021.
Forecasts on inflation based on perception that it’s not responding as much to less slack in labour market.
Fed to carefully watch in case inflation reacts more strongly or weakly than predicted.

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About Jerome Powell (via Federalreserve.gov)
Jerome H. Powell took office as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on February 5, 2018, for a four-year term. Mr. Powell also serves as Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee, the System’s principal monetary policymaking body. Mr. Powell has served as a member of the Board of Governors since taking office on May 25, 2012, to fill an unexpired term. He was reappointed to the Board and sworn in on June 16, 2014, for a term ending January 31, 2028.

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