雙語新聞【560】白宮與國會達成債務上限協議

White House, Congress Reach US Debt Ceiling Deal

白宮與國會達成債務上限協議

U.S. President Barack Obama has reached an agreement with congressional leaders on a compromise deal to raise the nation's limit on borrowing and keep the government from an unprecedented default.Mr. Obama said Sunday night that the proposed deal cuts about $1 trillion in spending over 10 years and sets up a bipartisan panel in Congress to consider up to $1.5 trillion in further reductions. He said that panel will consider all options, including tax increases and cuts to social welfare programs like Medicare. If the panel fails to reach agreement, then the deal requires automatic spending cuts.

美國總統奧巴馬與國會兩院領袖就提高國債上限、避免政府陷入前所未有的債務違約達成一項妥協協議。奧巴馬星期天晚上在白宮對記者說，協議要求在今后十年內削減1萬億美元的開支，并在國會組建一個兩黨小組，研究如何繼續削減1.5萬億美元。他說，該小組將考慮所有選擇，包括增稅和削減老年人醫保等社會福利項目。如果這個小組不能達成一致意見，協議將要求自動削減開支。

Congress must still approve the compromise, which is expected to pass the Senate which is controlled by Democrats. The deal is expected to face more opposition in the Republican-led House. A vote could come Monday, and congressional leaders from both parties say they expect to have enough votes to approve the deal that would raise the $14.3 trillion limit on U.S. borrowing.

這一妥協協議仍須獲得國會參眾兩院的通過。預計，協議會在民主黨控制的參議院將得到通過，但是，在共和黨領導的眾議院將面臨更多的反對。預計，兩院星期一會進行投票。國會兩黨領袖都表示，他們期待能有足夠的票數使得這項令美國舉債上限突破14.3萬億美元的協議得到通過。