A stalemate over U.S. fiscal policy that shut the government for 16 days “encouraged our enemies” and slowed economic growth, President Barack Obama said a day after Congress passed a bipartisan accord to avert default. Speaking at the White House after federal agencies opened for the first time since Oct. 1, Obama said the U.S. suffers because of repeated fiscal brinkmanship. “It’s emboldened our competitors and it’s depressed our friends who look to us for steady leadership,” he said. The impasse caused “completely unnecessary damage on our economy.” Lawmakers voted last night by wide margins -- 81-18 in the ... (full story)