What is the primary responsibility of the Federal Reserve?

The primary responsibility of the Federal Reserve, often referred to as the Fed, is managing the supply of money within the economy. This involves implementing monetary policy to promote maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates. By controlling the money supply, the Federal Reserve can influence economic activity; for instance, increasing the money supply can help stimulate economic growth, while decreasing it can help control inflation.

While the Federal Reserve does have a role in setting interest rates, this function is part of its broader responsibility for managing the money supply. Therefore, understanding that the management of money supply is fundamental to the Fed's operations helps clarify its overall objectives in the U.S. economy. The other choices pertain to functions that are not part of the Fed's primary responsibilities; taxation is determined by Congress, regulation of real estate markets typically falls under state and local jurisdictions, and interest rate setting is a tool used to manage money supply rather than a standalone responsibility.