US Fed September FOMC Meeting: When and Where to Watch Jerome Powell’s Speech Live Today; Check Time & Details

The two‑day meeting of the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) for September 16‑17, 2025 is currently in session. All eyes are on Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who is expected to announce what many believe could be the first interest rate cut of 2025. With economic signals flashing warnings, especially in the labor market and mounting political pressure, the stage is set for a potential shift in the Fed's monetary stance.

US Fed FOMC Meeting Today: Check time and Where to Watch Jerome Powell's Speech Live

Rate cut decision, along with the release of the Fed's updated economic projections, commonly referred to as the "dot plot" will be made public on September 17 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (11:30 PM IST). Investors and market watchers can stream the announcement live via the Federal Reserve's official YouTube channel, as well as on the Fed's official website. The chair's press conference immediately following the decision will also be available to view live on these platforms.

Political & Economic Pressure Builds on the Fed

The Fed has been under increasing pressure to act, particularly as recent jobs data points to a weakening labor market. President Donald Trump has been vocal in calling for rate cuts, now urging the Fed to consider a deeper 50 basis point reduction rather than a modest 25 bps. Economists warn that prolonged inaction could risk pushing the US economy closer to a recession.

As Bank of America's senior US economist Aditya Bhave told Bloomberg: "Every cut is more difficult than the previous cut unless the labour market shows signs of continued deterioration." For Jerome Powell, the balancing act has never been more delicate. A rate cut that's too modest may fail to arrest the ongoing slowdown in employment, while an aggressive move risks reigniting inflationary pressures - a scenario the Fed has worked hard to avoid.

Inflation and Labor Market Among Key Factors

"Inflation remains the key swing factor, with tariffs posing the risk of a near-term flare-up. The labor market looks steady but is showing early cracks, low unemployment paired with fewer job openings points to rising recession risks. With the neutral rate estimated near 3% versus today's ~4.4%, the Fed has meaningful room to ease if conditions deteriorate," Mr. Asutosh Mishra, Head of Research, Ashika Institutional Equities.

What Happened at the Last Fed Meeting?

At the previous FOMC meeting, the U.S. Federal Reserve decided to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the fifth consecutive time. However, for the first time this year, two committee members dissented from the majority view, voting in favor of a 25 basis point rate cut.

Fed officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining higher interest rates in an effort to contain persistent inflation. They also raised concerns that recent tariff measures introduced by President Trump could further fuel inflationary pressures.