The U.S. government shutdown does not have near-term implications for the ‘AA+’/Stable U.S. sovereign rating but highlights long-standing policymaking weaknesses and political brinkmanship around budgetary issues, Fitch Ratings says. The shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to either agree on the 12 appropriations bills required to fund discretionary federal programs or enact a continuing resolution (CR) to maintain funding at prior levels.[....]