WASHINGTON — A speech by a Federal Reserve governor Tuesday underscored a basic shift in Fed policy: The central bank now needs to be convinced that quarterly rate increases are a bad idea.

After years in which any sign of economic weakness was reason enough for the Fed to maintain its stimulus campaign, the Fed is now willing to shrug off at least a little bad data. Lael Brainard, a Federal Reserve governor, told the New York Association for Business Economics that the Fed should raise its benchmark interest rate “soon,” despite new evidence that inflation remains below the level the Fed desires.

The comments by Ms. Brainard reinforced expectations that the Fed will raise rates in mid-June at its next meeting, particularly because she has been a consistent advocate of caution. If she is ready to raise rates, there is probably little internal opposition.

“On balance, when assessing economic activity and its likely evolution, it would be reasonable to conclude that further removal of accommodation will likely be appropriate soon,” Ms. Brainard said.