WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Wednesday, September 17 at 11:00 AM ET, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, will host Former Federal Reserve Board Governor and Vice Chair, Dr. Lael Brainard, for a timely and in-depth conversation with Committee Democrats to examine threats to Fed Independence in light of Trump’s attempted removal of Fed Governor Lisa Cook. Committee Democrats and Brainard will discuss Trump’s longstanding efforts to undermine Fed independence and the path that has led us to this moment, analyze the structure of the Federal Open Market Committee, and how removing Dr. Cook could allow Trump to install new Reserve Bank Presidents as their terms expire in Feb. 2026.

The conversation will also explore what’s at stake for American families if Trump controls the Fed and therefore interest rates, and what steps Congress must take to protect the central bank’s independence.

WHO: 

• Ranking Member Maxine Waters and Committee Democrats.
  
  
• The Honorable Dr. Lael Brainard, former Vice Chair and Board Member of the Federal Reserve; Former Director of the National Economic Council; and Former Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for International Affairs.

WHAT: Discussion examining threats to Fed Independence.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 11 AM ET.

WHERE: 2003 Rayburn

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