Standard & Poor's finds itself the only credit rating agency to downgrade U.S. debt, while critics question its own credibility and investigators look into its rating of mortgage bonds.

The United States can win back its AAA rating for government debt, if it's willing to compromise and sacrifice. But it's a matter of pride more than necessity

The stock markets have seen turmoil, but the U.S. government's cost of borrowing has actually dropped despite Standard & Poor's downgrading of Treasury debt from AAA. S&P has suffered criticism

A group of 12 lawmakers will start work soon to cut $1.5 trillion in debt by November. Former Congressman James Bilbray, who served on the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, explains how this commission could make progress on reducing the debt.

Global markets do work together, but as Marketplace's Jeff Horwich reports, conventional wisdom holds that the U.S., by sheer size, tends to lead the way

Marketplace Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell says the debt problem actually creates an opportunity for growth. With rates so low, he says now is the time to borrow more and create new infrastructure.

Marketplace New York Bureau Chief Heidi Moore says that the markets are not telling the whole story of the U.S. economy

A group of 12 lawmakers will start work on cutting $1.5 trillion in debt over the next few months. Republican Congressman Dave Camp explains what he plans to do as part of the committee.

New York bureau chief Heidi Moore discusses how the crisis were facing now differs from the '08 financial crisis and why we have a divided economy.