"the comittee goal is to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability."

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=aSDPH6MGf29U&refer=economy

Key US interest rates have been held at 2% in an expected move, amid signs of continuing problems in the housing market and falling consumer confidence. These acts aim to promote moderate growth over time. The Fed, which is aware of the continued increases in the prices of energy and some other commodities, wishes to stabilize the prices of goods and services over time. The Fed is going to need to start hiking interest rates at some point to start to deal with inflation.

Mark Atiyeh