The Senate will vote tonight on whether to confirm Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve’s board of governors. If the process moves fast enough, he could be sworn in just in time to take a seat at tomorrow’s Fed policy meeting. This possibility has markets stoked, because Miran is seen as favoring deeper cuts than the modest quarter-point move Wall Street expects.
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Senate Holds a Rarely Timed Vote
Lawmakers are scheduled for a procedural vote at 5:30 p.m. and a final confirmation vote around 8 p.m. The timeline is unusually tight, with the Fed’s two-day meeting starting Tuesday. Typically, new governors need several days for paperwork and the oath of office, but history shows that in some cases the process can move overnight. If that happens, Miran could walk into the meeting as one of the newest and most influential voices in U.S. monetary policy.
Miran would replace former governor Adriana Kugler, who left the board last month. His term would run through January 2026. He has pledged to take unpaid leave from his White House role if confirmed, showing his close ties to the Trump administration as well as the political weight behind his nomination.
Miran Pushes for Steeper Cuts
Markets are pricing in a quarter-point cut this week, but Miran has signaled support for more aggressive easing. This aligns with the Trump administration’s push for faster rate reductions as it looks to stimulate growth. If he manages to take his seat in time, his voice could tilt the conversation toward a half-point cut instead of the smaller move Wall Street is banking on.
What remains unclear is whether Miran would be able to finalize his summary of economic projections in time for the official post-meeting release. Even so, his presence alone would add more uncertainty to a meeting already expected to carry high stakes.
Lisa Cook Faces a Court Battle
At the same time, the Trump administration is trying to block Fed governor Lisa Cook from participating in this week’s meeting. The White House cited alleged mortgage fraud as grounds for dismissal last month, but a federal judge temporarily restored her position. The Justice Department has asked an appeals court to reverse that order before the Fed meets.
Cook’s attorneys argue that the move to remove her is “wholly unwarranted” and that she should be allowed to serve while her case plays out. Unless the order is lifted, Cook is expected to sit at the table and vote on rates, giving the meeting yet another layer of drama.
It is an Important Fed Gathering
The Fed’s meeting on September 16–17 comes at a moment when both politics and policy are pulling in different directions. On one side, Miran could arrive as a dovish voice calling for deeper cuts. On the other, Cook could keep her seat after winning an emergency reprieve in court. Together, their presence would change up the mix of views inside the room.
Markets will be waiting to see not just the size of the rate cut but also how the shifting lineup of governors affects the long-term outlook for monetary policy.
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