During a macroeconomic review, a financial analyst notes that housing starts and new orders for consumer goods have declined significantly over two consecutive quarters, signaling potential economic contraction, while the average duration of unemployment remains low. If Congress chooses to enact expansionary fiscal policy to counter these weakening leading indicators, which of the following measures represents a direct exercise of statutory fiscal authority?
- Decreasing federal income tax rates and increasing government expenditures on public infrastructureCevap
- BPurchasing U.S. Treasury securities in the open market to increase bank reserves and reduce short-term interest rates
- CReducing the Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB) rate to encourage depository institutions to expand commercial lending
- DAdjusting statutory reserve requirements to modify the money multiplier across member institutions following lagging indicator signals
Cevap
Decreasing federal income tax rates and increasing government expenditures on public infrastructure is a direct exercise of statutory fiscal authority by Congress.
Fiscal policy refers specifically to actions taken by the legislative branch (Congress) and the President to influence economic activity via federal tax policy and spending programs. To stimulate growth when leading indicators predict a downturn, Congress can lower taxes (leaving more disposable capital with consumers and businesses) and increase direct federal spending on infrastructure.
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Fiscal Policy Levers vs. Federal Reserve Monetary Policy Tools