Agreed, and I also don't think that the transaction indicates the person had some sort of insider information about how the deals in Washington would work out.

Agreed, and I also don't think that the transaction indicates the person had some sort of insider information about how the deals in Washington would work out. Based on all of the public information out there (comments from ratings agencies, Congressmen themselves, pundits), it seems likely that the US will avoid a true default but that it's credit rating will be downgraded.