BOSTON Federal Reserve President Susan Collins, who voted for both of the Fed's policy-rate reductions this year, said on Wednesday she sees a "relatively high bar" for additional easing in the near term, citing worries about elevated inflation.

"Absent evidence of a notable labor market deterioration, I would be hesitant to ease policy further, especially given the limited information on inflation due to the government shutdown," Collins said in remarks prepared for delivery to a bankers conference in Boston.