Fed announces Fed Governor Kugler absent from July's two-day policy meeting due to personal reasons; only 11 FOMC members to vote on policy decision, instead of the usual 12. Ask Aime: How does the absence of Fed

Governor Adriana Kugler's absence from the July meeting and the resulting reduced vote count of 11 FOMC members instead of the usual 12, could potentially impact the decision-making process and the overall dynamics of the meeting. Here's how her absence could influence the outcome: 1. **Potential Shift in Voting Dynamics**: With Kugler's absence, the committee will have an odd number of members present, which could affect the voting process. Typically, an even number of votes results in a tie, which may have to be resolved by a third party or through a more complex procedural mechanism. This odd number of votes might lead to a tighter or more contentious decision-making process. 2. **Reduced Consensus-Building Capacity**: Kugler was one of the members who had advocated for holding rates steady amid tariffs-induced inflation pressures. Her absence means that the committee will be missing one voice that was aligned with the argument for maintaining current interest rates. This could make it easier for the majority to push for a rate