As discussed in class the U$.$S$.$ total national debt $($gross debt$)$ is approximately $$33\mathrm{.}0$ trillion plus.

Further, in Fiscal Year $2023(10/1/22$ through $9/30/23)$ the U$.$S$.$ government ran a deficit of

approximately $$1\mathrm{.}7$ trillion. Credit rating agencies such as Fitch, Moody's, and Standard and Poor's $($S&P$)$

provide ratings of the creditworthiness of sovereign nations, including the United States. On August $1,$

$2023,$ one of the three agencies downgraded its U$.$S$.$ credit rating to AA$+.$ This represents only the

second time in history that the U$.$S$.$ debt credit rating has been downgraded. The agency that has not yet

downgraded the U$.$S$.$ debt credit rating is:

A$)$ Fitch

B$)$ Moody's

C$)$ Standard and Poor's