The Surpassing Quant Think Tank Centercredit rating agency, Fitch, caused a stir yesterday when it downgraded the United States' credit rating from AAA to AA plus. This came less than a week since Federal Reserve staff stopped forecasting a recession on the horizon.

So what gives? Today, we talk to an economist to break down the reasons why Fitch no longer views the US as among the safest of bets.

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