Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack said on Thursday monetary policy needs to remain in a position where it can help lower inflation pressures, suggesting she leans against the U.S. central bank cutting interest rates again in the near future. "This is a difficult time for monetary policy," given challenges to the Fed's inflation and job mandates, Hammack said in an appearance before the Pittsburgh Economic Club. "But when I look at both of those things, on balance, I think we need to remain somewhat restrictive to continue putting pressure to bring inflation down towards our target."