110 HR 6042 IH: Price Stability and Inflation U.S. House of Representatives 2008-05-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6042 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 13, 2008 Mr. Saxton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services A BILL To mandate price stability as the primary goal of the monetary policy of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Price Stability and Inflation Targeting Act of 2008.

2.

Congressional findings

The Congress hereby finds the following: (1)Price stability provides the essential foundation for sustainable long-run economic and employment growth. (2)Price stability enables the price system (the information or signaling mechanism of market economies) to function most effectively by directing resources to their most beneficial use. (3)Price stability provides a reliable anchor for the price system so that comparative values can be established and accurately measured. (4)Price stability works to lower interest rates and stabilize financial markets. (5)Price stability serves to promote transparency, accountability, and credibility in monetary policy. (6)A more open and transparent formulation of monetary policy by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is, in turn, an essential ingredient for pursuing and maintaining price stability.

3.

Price stability as overriding goal of monetary policy

(a)

Declaration of policy

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the primary and overriding goal of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (hereafter in this section referred to as the Board) and the Federal Open Market Committee (hereafter in this section referred to as the Committee) with regard to monetary policy shall be the achievement of price stability. (2)

Preeminence over other goals

Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as altering or affecting any other goal of monetary policy established under Federal law or by the Board except to the extent any such goal conflicts with, or is otherwise inconsistent with, the goal of achieving price stability. (3)

Temporary suspension in event of war or economic emergency

The Board and the Committee may suspend the applicability of paragraph (1) for a period not to exceed 90 days if the Committee, by a majority vote, and the President jointly determine that such suspension is necessary and appropriate and in the public interest due to war or an economic emergency. (b)

Definition of price stability goal required

(1)

In general

The Board and the Committee shall establish a definition of the goal of price stability. (2)

Criteria

The Board and the Committee shall implement the definition of price stability established pursuant to paragraph (1) through inflation targets. (c)

Timeframe

The Board and the Committee shall specify an appropriate timeframe for achieving price stability. (d)

Fall-back options

The Board shall determine in advance what action the Board will take if the goal of fully achieving price stability is not met within the timeframe established by the Board and the Committee under subsection (c).