Bernanke Gets Federal Reserve Support for Tapering Stimulus

Finally closing the tap

Federal Reserve policy makers were "broadly comfortable" with Chairman Ben S. Bernanke's plan to start reducing bond buying later this year if the economy improves, with a few saying tapering might be needed soon, minutes of their last meeting show.

"Almost all committee members agreed that a change in the purchase program was not yet appropriate," and a few said "it might soon be time to slow somewhat the pace of purchases as outlined in that plan," according to the record of the Federal Open Market Committee's July 30-31 gathering released today in Washington.

"A few members emphasized the importance of being patient and evaluating additional information on the economy before deciding on any changes to the pace of asset purchases," the minutes show. "Almost all participants confirmed that they were broadly comfortable" with the committee moderating "the pace of its securities purchases later this year."