Having said all that, this is peanuts compared to what will happen if the US actually does default on its debt, as is the looming danger.  If you live in the US like I do, and happen to have any overseas vacation plans, you might want to cancel them if this actually does happen, because the US dollar will almost certainly plummet if the US federal government defaults on its debt.  I don't, thankfully, have overseas vacation plans.  Nevertheless, I wouldn't be surprised if this debt thing happens, and if it does, I also wouldn't be surprised if it induces a major recession.