The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady on March 18 highlights the central tension in the U.S. monetary policy. The decision was divided due to inflation and signs of weakness in the economy, including a hotter than expected producer prices and slowing growth. The Iran war has exacerbated this issue, reopening the traditional stagflation dilemma of rising prices with slower growth. An interest-rate hike is also a concern due to concerns over current macro and geopolitical views of the economy. The Fed's dual mandate requires it to balance full employment and price stability, and higher rates can cool prices but weaken the job market. The benchmark federal funds rate affects nearly all Americans and affects interest rates for auto and student loans, home-equity loans, and credit cards.