ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />President Barack Obama says the government shutdown and threat of default hurt the U.S. economy.<br/> <br />Speaking to reporters from the White House on Thursday, Obama said "these last few weeks have inflicted completely, unnecessary damage on our economy."<br/> <br />He went on to say it's no surprise why Americans are completely fed up with Washington.<br/> <br />In recent weeks, a bitterly divided Congress failed to avert a government shutdown and nearly forced the U.S. into default.<br/> <br />Lawmakers were able to pass an 11th hour deal Wednesday night to reopen the government and avoid hitting the debt ceiling.<br/> <br />Despite the damage it did to the U.S. economy, Obama says the full faith and credit of the United States remains unquestioned.<br/> <br />Obama ended his remarks by thanking federal employees who returned to work for the first time on Thursday following the 16 day government shutdown.
