Manchin is calling the Fitch Ratings downgrade from AAA to AA+ “ a “historic failure of leadership by both political parties and the executive branch.” Manchin has been an outspoken critic of the government’s $32-TRILLION dollar debt. In April he criticized President Biden for showing what he called a “deficiency of leadership” when he at first refused to compromise with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) He says both parties and the whit house have an opportunity to confront the crisis with the end of th fiscal year approaching at the end of September.