# Fed Hikes Rates: “Fix Policy, Don’t Blame the Fed” | Cato’s Jai Kedia 

If the administration wants lower rates, it should start by fixing these policies rather than blaming the Fed.

September 16, 2026 • News Releases 

Following today’s decision by the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, I wanted to share the following reaction from the Cato Institute’s [**Jai Kedia**](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://zwly9k6z.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:*2F*2Fwww.cato.org*2Fpeople*2Fjai-kedia/1/010001a0ab808e6e-4f478dc8-be89-4e4d-9ef6-f9dc62664fb3-000000/qv-LHT7M9vDeYzf4bNP4EdCNsbo=473___.YXAzOmNhdG9pbnN0aXR1dGU6YTpvOjk5N2ZhMmNmMWVmY2QxYmQ1NjNkN2I4Y2IyMDZkMjhhOjc6MTZkZjo1NDI5NjQzMWFjYTk5MDIzNDk4OTRjM2UyMTEyOTZlNjIzOWU2MTM3MmUzZTg4NTU3ZDhlYmEzZTIxZmY3MjJlOmg6VDpO), a research fellow with the Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives:

> *“The Fed raised rates by 25 basis points today in response to inflation that remains well above the 2 percent target.”*
> 
> *The President had strongly pushed the Fed to lower rates. But it is his administration’s policies like tariffs, war, and reckless spending that ultimately made this decision inevitable.*
> 
> *“If the administration wants lower rates, it should start by fixing these policies rather than blaming the Fed.”*

If you’re interested in speaking with Jai about today’s decision, inflation, or the outlook for interest rates, I’m happy to connect you.

Best,

Ryan Carver 
***Media Relations Manager*** 
*540–589‑0573* 
Cato Institute 
1000 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. 
Washington, DC 20001

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