The Federal Reserve has announced "Operation Twist" to try to stimulate the stagnant US economy. It plans to sell $400 billion of short-term treasury bonds and use the proceeds to buy long-term treasury bonds. This is intended to lower long-term interest rates to encourage more borrowing and investment. However, some economists are skeptical it will be effective since interest rates are already near record lows. Unemployment may remain around 9% in the short-term even if long-term rates fall. The Fed hopes this action, along with keeping short-term rates low until 2013, will spur growth but its ultimate goals of stable prices and lower unemployment may not be achieved.