In its first statement since the Senate passed the debt ceiling legislation Thursday night, Fitch Ratings on Friday said it is keeping the United States on rating watch negative and plans to make a decision on a potential downgrade by the end of September. Although the resolution to the debt ceiling fight is a “positive,” Fitch expressed deep concern about the recurring brinksmanship and worsening polarization in Washington.
Fitch said it plans to resolve the negative watch in the third quarter. It will consider the “full implications of the most recent brinksmanship episode” as well as the outlook for the medium-term trajectory for the budget and debt. Fitch said Washington’s ability to reach a deal on the debt ceiling “despite heated political partisanship” while “modestly” reducing fiscal deficits are “positive considerations.