VOA标准英语2013--IMF to Revise US Growth Forecast, Sequester Blamed

（单词翻译）

IMF to Revise US Growth Forecast, Sequester¹ Blamed

With across the board budget cuts all but guaranteed, some government agencies already have placed a freeze on hiring. At the Federal Aviation Administration, up to 40 thousand workers expect to see their hours reduced.

"It means I will probably be late on a house payment, not buy enough groceries, and then you throw that in with gas prices going up, it is devastating," said Gary Perusse, FAA worker.

The same is true for customs and border security agents, for meat inspectors² and educators. Low-income families and the long-term unemployed³ also will lose benefits. The net effect, said budget expert Scott Collender, is negative stimulus⁴ for an economy that's barely growing.

"Without businesses spending, without consumer spending, without trade helping⁵, lower government spending is going to hurt and hurt substantially," said Collender.

Estimates say the cuts could shave more than half a percent from gross domestic output. That's enough for the International Monetary⁶ Fund to revise earlier estimates for U.S. growth.

"A lot of it depends upon how aggressively or how fully⁷ sequestration is implemented⁸. There will be an impact on global growth," said IMF spokesman William Murray.

Analysts⁹ say the spending cuts could cause delays in shipping¹⁰ and cut U.S. demand for imported goods.

Most frustrating¹¹, said economist¹² Charles Konigsberg, is that the crisis could have been avoided. "I think it's a lose, lose situation. Everyone loses."

The cuts come as the economy was showing signs of progress. Despite the setback¹³, President Barack Obama said negotiations¹⁴ with Congress would continue.

"...if Congress comes to its senses, a week from now, a month from now, three months from now - then there's a lot of open running room there for us to grow our economy much more quickly," said Obama.