Powell warns that long downturn would mean severe damage

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER
WASHINGTON  — Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned Tuesday that the U.S. economy faces a deep downturn with “significant uncertainty” about the timing and strength of a recovery. He cautioned that the longer the recession lasts, the worse the damage that would be inflicted on the job market and businesses.
In testimony to Congress, Powell stressed that the Fed is committed to using all its financial tools to cushion the economic damage from th