Fitch downgrades U.S. credit rating after debt ceiling crisis

The credit agency Fitch Ratings downgraded the trustworthiness of the U.S. government on Tuesday, saying successive standoffs over the nation’s debt ceiling and rising federal debt have cast doubt on the United States’ ability to meet all its payment obligations. The downgrade, issued shortly after financial markets closed trading for the day, moves the federal government’s rating as a currency issuer from AAA to AA+. A lower credit rating could make borrowers less likely to lend money to the federal government on favorable terms, potentially raising costs for U.S. taxpayers.

tips

successive 连续的

standoff 僵局；对峙

debt 债务

ceiling 天花板；指上线

cast 全体演员；扮演；打石膏；投掷；这里是使的意思

obligation 责任；义务；职责