A Leader’s Important Job

A man named Mr. Jerome Powell has a very important job. He helps lead a big group called the Federal Reserve, or the Fed for short. This group helps decide how much it costs to borrow money. This affects how much grown-ups pay for houses, cars, and other things.

In January of 2026, Mr. Powell and his team had a big meeting. They decided to keep the cost of borrowing money the same for a little while. They did not make it lower. They wanted to make sure prices in stores do not go up too fast. They also wanted to make sure people can find good jobs. This is a big balancing act!

But Mr. Powell had another problem at that time. Some people from the government were asking him questions about his work. This made his job harder. Soon, in May, Mr. Powell would finish his important job. A new leader would be chosen to take his place.

Leaders like Mr. Powell try to make good choices for everyone in the country. They look at information to decide what is best. It is a big responsibility, just like how your teacher has the important job of helping you learn!

Vocabulary Words

Leader: A person who guides or is in charge of a group.
Decide: To make a choice about something.
Cost: The amount of money needed to buy or do something.
Balance: To keep things steady and equal.
Job: Work that a person does to earn money.

Comprehension Questions

Choose the best answer for each question.

What is the name of the man with the important job in the story?
A. Mr. Thomas
B. Mr. Jerome Powell
C. Mr. Smith
D. Mr. BlackRock
What did Mr. Powell’s group decide to do in their January meeting?
A. Make borrowing money more expensive.
B. Keep the cost of borrowing money the same.
C. Close the Federal Reserve.
D. Give everyone new jobs.
What two things does the Fed try to balance?
A. School lunches and recess time.
B. Store prices and people finding jobs.
C. The weather and the seasons.
D. Toys and games.
When was Mr. Powell finishing his important job?
A. In January.
B. In May.
C. In December.
D. On Wednesday.
What is the Fed’s job like, according to the story?
A. A fun game.
B. A big balancing act.
C. A long car ride.
D. A coloring activity.