Manchin denounces 'historic failure of leadership' after Fitch credit downgrade

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) called on Washington to get its fiscal house in order after Fitch lowered the country's credit rating, a "stark warning" that he said "cannot be ignored."

Citing an "erosion of governance," Fitch downgraded the rating from AAA to AA+ on Tuesday, the first time a credit agency has taken such a step since 2011. The downgrade, both then and now, followed a bitter fight and last-minute resolution to a standoff over the country's debt ceiling.

The announcement revived a familiar blame game by party leaders, with Democrats faulting Republicans' insistence on...