What caused the low-interest rates of the early 2000s? Those low-interest rates were an important factor in causing the housing bubble.)

The Federal Reserve (Fed) plays a crucial role in the United States' monetary policy, one of its primary functions being the adjustment of interest rates to control inflation and stabilize the economy. This institution has the power to raise or lower the Federal Funds Rate, which is the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2021).

When the Fed increases the interest rate, it effectively makes borrowing more expensive. This action can slow economic growth by making it costlier for businesses and consumers to borrow, thereby reducing spending and investment. Conversely, when the Fed lowers the interest rate, borrowing becomes cheaper, encouraging spending and investment, which can stimulate economic growth (Mankiw, 2018).

The Fed also influences the money supply through open market operations, which involve the buying and selling of government securities. When the Fed wants to increase the money supply, it buys government securities, thereby injecting money into the economy. Conversely, when it wants to decrease the money supply, it sells these securities, effectively taking money out of the economy (Mishkin, 2019).

It is important to note that the Fed's decisions on interest rates and money supply are influenced by various factors, including economic indicators, financial conditions, and inflation targets. The goal is to strike a balance between encouraging economic growth and preventing excessive inflation (Yellen, 2015).

In conclusion, the Fed's ability to adjust interest rates and control the money supply is central to its role in managing the U.S. economy. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for interpreting economic policies and forecasting economic conditions.