In the United States, money is controlled by the ____________.

In the United States, the Federal Reserve, often referred to simply as "the Fed," plays a crucial role in controlling the money supply and implementing monetary policy. Established in 1913, the Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States and is responsible for regulating the banking system, managing inflation, and promoting stable economic growth.

The Fed controls the money supply through various tools, such as open market operations, the discount rate, and reserve requirements. For example, by buying or selling government securities, the Fed influences the amount of money in circulation. Altering the discount rate impacts how much banks can borrow and subsequently lend, while changing reserve requirements affects how much money banks can create through lending.

Other options may involve aspects of financial governance but do not have the dedicated authority or mechanisms to control the money supply as the Federal Reserve does. Congress creates laws and sets the budget but does not directly manage monetary policy. Wall Street typically refers to the financial markets and institutions and does not have the power to regulate money supply. Banks are players in the financial system but operate under regulations imposed by the Federal Reserve and serve to facilitate financial transactions rather than control the money supply directly.