The document discusses the Federal Reserve's use of an interest rate target, known as the Federal Funds Rate, to influence monetary policy. It describes the "Taylor Rule" formula that the Fed follows to determine adjustments to the interest rate target based on levels of inflation and unemployment. In the long run, when unemployment is at 5% and inflation is at the 2% target, the Fed targets the Federal Funds Rate at 2%. In the short run, the Fed lowers the rate during recessions to boost the economy and raises it during expansions to cool inflation.