The Federal Reserve voted against lowering the benchmark interest rate Wednesday, marking the first time it has chosen to hold steady since July.

The January meeting marks the first since Fed Chair Jerome Powell confirmed the Department of Justice subpoenaed the central bank.

The Federal Reserve pushed the pause button on its interest rate cuts, leaving its key rate unchanged at about 3.6% after lowering it three times last year.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady after three straight cuts. It’s the first time since July that the central bank decided not to move interest rates. NBC News’ Christine Romans details what this means for the economy.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday, ending a string of three consecutive quarter-point rate cuts as the central bank grapples with a combination of elevated inflation and sluggish hiring.

The Fed has navigated between competing risks for months. Inflation slowed in 2023 and 2024 but then stalled out above the central bank’s 2% goal over the past year, arguing for

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept interest rates unchanged as the US central bank fights to maintain its ability to set interest rates without political interference.

The Fed and chair Jerome Powell are likely to hold interest rates steady as he faces a criminal investigation launched by President Donald Trump's close ally.