That's what the balance sheet aspect is. There is a due date on the securities purchased by the Fed. Thus there is a time a limit. The Fed does not consider

That's what the balance sheet aspect is. There is a due date on the securities purchased by the Fed. Thus there is a time a limit. The Fed does not consider quantitative easing as just printing money. I think if it were just printing money then people would not have faith in Treasury securities and thus the interest rate would be a lot, lot higher than it is now. EDIT: From the link supplied above: "Global demand for Treasury securities has remained strong, and the Treasury has been able to finance large deficits without difficulty. In addition, U.S. currency has expanded at only a moderate pace in recent years, and the Federal Reserve has indicated that it will return its securities holdings to a more normal level over time, as the economy recovers and the current monetary accommodation is unwound."