The historic economic data reported on Thursday confirmed the enormity of the second-quarter blow suffered by the global economy and the challenging road ahead. It comes when Congress in particular remains divided about how to support relief and reform policies. The longer lawmakers delay, the greater the risk that the stalled economic recovery will lead to a significant spike in unemployment and more business closings that would spread contractionary ripples to the rest of the global economy. According to the data released on Thursday morning, U.S. gross domestic product contracted by an astounding 32.9% when ... (full story)