AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File
Federal Reserve Unveils ‘Extensive New Measures’ To Bolster U.S. Economy
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NPR
AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File
The Federal Reserve says it will buy bonds and mortgage-backed securities “in the amounts needed” to keep markets working smoothly, unveiling a plan that also includes measures to make sure credit is available to businesses and consumers.
“While great uncertainty remains, it has become clear that our economy will face severe disruptions,” the Federal Reserve said as it revealed the plans. “Aggressive efforts must be taken across the public and private sectors to limit the losses to jobs and incomes and to promote a swift recovery once the disruptions abate.”
The open-ended plans escalate an earlier emergency move that called for the Federal Open Market Committee to buy at least $500 billion in Treasury securities and at least $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities.
The Federal Reserve also said it “expects to announce soon the establishment of a Main Street Business Lending Program to support lending to eligible small-and-medium sized businesses, complementing efforts by the [Small Business Administration].
The Fed is taking action as the Senate struggles to reach agreement on a massive aid package for U.S. businesses and taxpayers. That trillion-dollar legislation failed a procedural vote on Sunday. A new vote is scheduled for noon Monday, ET.
Seven U.S. states are now reporting 1,000 or more cases of COVID-19, and experts believe the number of infected people will rise further as testing becomes more available and efficient.
