By Andrew Rice | The Center Square(Worthy News) – The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady in its first meeting of 2026, as economists expected. Federal Reserve officials kept lending rates between 3.5-3.75% after issuing three cuts last year. In a statement, officials pointed to low job gains and stabilization in the unemployment rate behind their decision. The January inflation report, based on December 2025 data, revealed a 2.7% inflation rate. Two governors on the board, Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller, voted against keeping the rates steady, instead suggesting lowering rates by 0.25%.