Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees, but I don't really need it.

Infliction is killing me!

But who cares? Big retailers are making record profits!

That's why we support the Durban Marshall Credit Card Bill!

See? Banks and credit unions help small businesses make payroll.

This bill would cut the vital resources they need.

While increasing megastore profits, they deserve it. Don't they? Tell Congress, stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores. Paid for by the Electronic Payments Coalition.

The Fed holds rate steady, but the war with Iran clouds its outlook for future decisions.

Plus, oil prices rose again today after new attacks on Middle East energy infrastructure,

and how U.S. Marines could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get oil flowing again.

This unit is typically used for raids or special operations. It seems likely

that the U.S. Marines that are being sent to the Middle East could be deployed to see some of the

islands off of the southern coast of Iran. It's Wednesday, March 18th. I'm Alex Osloaf for the

Wall Street Journal. This is the PM edition of What's News, the top headlines and business stories that move the world today.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady today for the second meeting in a row.

And for later this year, officials kept open the possibility of cutting rates,

even as higher energy prices from the Iran war threaten to make bringing down inflation more

difficult. For more on the Fed's decision, I'm joined now by WSJ economics reporter, Matt Grossman.

Matt, how did officials talk about the prospect of rising inflation due to higher energy prices?

Do they see it basically

as a guarantee? Are they still going to kind of wait and see? Well, in his press conference

today, Chair Powell talked about the effects of the war in Iran as highly uncertain.

...