WASHINGTON (AP) - The core issue faced by the Federal Reserve when policymakers meet today is whether a recent burst of economic strength will last long enough for them to soon scale back their support for the

economy.
    
Since the Fed's policymakers last met in January, the job market has shown more muscle. Employers have hired more than a half million people. The unemployment rate is down.
    
No major announcements are expected after the Fed's one-day meeting.
    
Private economists think the officials will note the job gains. But they expect them to repeat their plan to keep short-term interest rates at a record low until at least late 2014.