🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Stephen Miran has been nominated to join the Federal Reserve Board, a significant institution in the United States that helps manage the country’s economy. This nomination has become a topic of discussion because Miran has worked in previous administrations under former President Donald Trump. Some people worry about whether he will maintain the independence that is crucial for the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve, often referred to as the Fed, is a central bank that makes important decisions about interest rates and money supply, affecting the entire economy.
Miran has declared that if he is confirmed for the position, he will not resign from his current role at the White House. This statement has caused concern among those who believe the Fed should operate independently from political influence. Independence is vital because it allows the Fed to make decisions based on economic data rather than political pressures.
The controversy surrounding Miran’s nomination highlights the ongoing debate about the balance between political influence and economic independence. Critics argue that having someone closely tied to a specific administration could impact the Fed’s objectivity. Supporters of Miran, however, suggest that his experience in government could bring valuable insights to the Fed.
As the confirmation process continues, it is important to consider the implications of this appointment. The Federal Reserve’s decisions can have significant effects on the global economy, including interest rates and inflation. Therefore, the independence of its board members is a matter of international interest. The outcome of this nomination could influence not only U.S. economic policy but also global financial markets.
📝 Vocabulary
- nominate: to formally suggest someone for a position or job
例文: “The president nominated her for the role of ambassador.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- nominate someone for
- formally nominate
- be nominated as
指名する - independence: the state of being free from outside control
例文: “The country gained independence many years ago.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- gain independence
- maintain independence
- declare independence
独立 - influence: the power to affect how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks
例文: “His influence was evident in the new policy changes.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- political influence
- have influence
- under the influence
影響 - economy: the system of production, consumption, and distribution in a country
例文: “The global economy is recovering slowly.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- global economy
- strengthen the economy
- economy grows
経済 - confirm: to establish the truth or correctness of something
例文: “The test results confirmed their initial findings.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- confirm results
- confirm a decision
- confirm a theory
確認する
✏️ Grammar Point
Conditional Sentences (Type 1) – “If he is confirmed for the position, he will not resign from his current role at the White House.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
条件が満たされた場合に起こる未来の結果を述べる際に使います。ビジネスでは、特定の条件が満たされた場合の予定や計画を話すときに用いられます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: Stephen Miran has worked in a past administration under President Donald Trump.
- MCQ: What is the main concern about Stephen Miran’s nomination?
a) His lack of experience
b) His political ties
c) His financial background
d) His educational qualifications - MCQ: What role does the Federal Reserve play in the economy?
a) It manages foreign policy.
b) It sets immigration laws.
c) It regulates interest rates and money supply.
d) It oversees education systems.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- True
- b) His political ties
- c) It regulates interest rates and money supply
📚 Reading Questions
- Who is Stephen Miran, and what is his current nomination for?
- Why do some people worry about Miran’s nomination to the Federal Reserve Board?
- What does “independence” mean in the context of the Federal Reserve?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- Stephen Miran is nominated to join the Federal Reserve Board.
- People worry because they think his political ties could affect the Fed’s independence.
- Independence means being free from political influence to make unbiased decisions.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
スティーブン・ミランが米国の連邦準備制度理事会に指名されたことは、経済にとって重要な話題です。彼の指名は、特にトランプ政権での勤務歴により、連邦準備制度の独立性に対する懸念を引き起こしています。連邦準備制度は、金利やマネーサプライを調整し、国の経済を管理する重要な役割を担っています。この独立性が失われると、政治的圧力に基づいた決定がなされる可能性があり、世界経済に影響を与えることが懸念されます。将来的にはこの指名がどのように経済政策や国際金融市場に影響を与えるかが注目されます。
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/09/15/nx-s1-5542126/stephen-miran-fed-reserve-board
