The Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve bank is scheduled to meet this morning. One thing the Fed could do is a third round of quantitative easing -- but analysts say not to expect any major policy moves this afternoon.

Now that partisan politics has rendered the government unable to function, only one player in Washington has the power to affect the economy: the Federal Reserve

The latest stimulus round is over. But Bernanke tells Congress that if needed, the Fed will act again to try to prime pump the economy.

Lawmakers got their once-in-a-quarter shot at grilling Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke today. Many of the questions appeared to have less to do with matters like stimulus and the debt ceiling, and more to do with representatives' political agendas.

Richard DeKaser, economist with the Parthenon Group, explains what he expects from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony today on Capitol Hill, and what we can expect from the Federal Reserve.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is expected to testify today in one of his regular hearings before Congress as the debt debates continue.

Diane Swonk, chief economist with Mesirow Financial, takes a look back at QE2 and the effects it had on the global economy, inflation and commodity prices.

Economic consultant Peter Cohan explains the basics of Quantitative Easing, and discusses the program's long-term effects.

Bruce McCain, chief investment strategist at Key Private Bank, explains the end of the Federal Reserve's bond-buying program -- and predicts what happens to the U.S. economy now.