WSHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- Recent economic indicators showed inflation running now at about seven percent, up sharply in the last year.

South Dakota Senator John Thune says he met with Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell about that and other issues.

Thune says what Congress does in the next few months will have a direct impact on the economy and inflation.

Thune says the country needs a coherent energy policy.

Its widely expected that the Federal Reserve will increase the prime interest rate at or before their March meeting.