The Federal Reserve is leaving the interest rates the same in the 3.5-3.75 percent range, the Federal Open Market Committee decided in a 9-3 vote on Wednesday. The Fed said that despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the economy is still fairly strong. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh is expected to speak with reporters at 2:30 PM Eastern Time to discuss the decision. Warsh took over as chairman in May, as Jerome Powell's term ended amid sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for interest rates to get cut. Rates should be lowered," the president added at the time.