White House Council of Economic Advisers member and Federal Reserve Board nominee Miran said in a CNBC interview that safeguarding the central bank’s independence is “paramount.” Miran added that the timetable for her Senate confirmation is entirely in lawmakers’ hands, and approval before the Federal Open Market Committee’s mid-September meeting is not assured. Speaking later on Fox Business, US Treasury Secretary Bessent voiced hope that the Senate will confirm Miran before the September meeting. Bessent went further, arguing the Fed should consider a 50-basis-point interest-rate cut at that gathering, and contended the central bank could have lowered rates in June had it possessed more accurate economic data. She also said President Trump remains open-minded about future leadership choices for the Fed, stressing the need for a chair who can “revamp” the institution.