Economic policy.

The article discusses current economic policy in the U.S. as of September 2006. The administration of the U.S. George W. Bush expects the budget deficit to shrink for fiscal 2005-2006. The Federal Reserve Board left the Federal funds rate at its August 8, 2006 policy review. The U.S. Congress passed the Pension Protection Act which affects defined-benefits plans. There is increasing pressure to raise the minimum wage.