President Obama speaks about US economy

Signs the bill
President Barack Obama signs the Budget Control Act of 2011 in the Oval Office, Aug. 2, 2011.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama plans to deliver a statement about the economy as the nation grapples with the first downgrade of U.S. debt in the country's history.

Obama will speak at noon from the White House, and we will carry live coverage from NPR.

Standard and Poor's on Friday said it was downgrading U.S. debt because the rating agency lacks confidence that political leaders will make the choices needed to avert a long-term fiscal crisis.

Congress and Obama recently struck a deal to avoid a government default and to cut the deficit, although the deal was not as broad as the president wanted.

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