VOA常速英语:Obama Signs Compromise Debt Ceiling Bill

短语讲解：

1. It is also intended to reduce the nation's $14.3 trillion deficit by at least $2.1 trillion over 10 years.

intend to想要;打算
例句：He intends his son to manage the company.
他打算让他儿子经营该公司。
at least至少
例句：He smoked at least half a packet of cigarettes a day.
他每天至少抽半包烟。

2. The president said the agreement requires that both major political parties work together on a larger plan to cut the federal budget deficit, which he said is important for the long-term health of the U.S. economy.

work on致力于…
例句：He has been working on a new novel for over a year now.
近一年多来, 他一直在写一部新小说。

3. In addition, lawmakers will also consider a constitutional amendment requiring the government to balance its budget.

in addition另外
例句：They eat a great deal of fruit in addition.
他们还吃大量的水果。

4. "The question is, 'Are we going to be living by the same rules that apply to every family, every small business and 49 states, which is, that they cannot spend more money than they have?'" asked Barrasso.

apply to 适用于 
例句：The law applied to all persons.
这项法律适用于所有人。

5. The president said it should not take the risk of "economic catastrophe" to force lawmakers to work together and do their jobs.

take the risk of冒…的险
例句：In order to win the war we had to take the risk of offending neutral nations.
为了赢得战争，我们不得不冒触怒中立国的危险。

6. He said the priority now is for Democrats and Republicans to focus on creating jobs and reviving the U.S. economy.

focus on集中于，致力于
例句：Many firms are focusing on increasing their markets overseas.
许多商行都专注于扩大国外市场。

7. The top House Democrat, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, agreed that lawmakers must immediately turn their attention to economic recovery.

turn to (把注意力等)转向
例句：More and more people turn to computer science.
愈来愈多的人从事计算机科学研究。

8. "Yesterday we crossed a bridge," said Pelosi.  "Enough talk about the debt.  We have to talk about jobs."

talk about 谈论;谈到
例句：What are they talking about?
他们在谈什么?

9. Obama called on Congress to pass numerous bills that he said would strengthen the economy, including approving free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.

call on要求, 请求, 号召
例句：The government called on the workers to oppose waste.
政府号召工人反对浪费。