Lisa Cook reiterated an earlier position that she is ready to raise interest rates, but added more insight into why she did not vote in favor of a hike at last week's FOMC meeting. Lisa Cook reiterated an earlier position that she is ready to raise interest rates, but added more insight into why she did not vote in favor of a hike at last week's FOMC meeting. Expert quote: "The longer inflation is above target, the more likely this scenario becomes. "The longer inflation is above target, the more likely this scenario becomes. Lisa Cook is ready for the central bank to increase interest rates, but only "if it becomes necessary to bring inflation down."