Obama taps Kerry for Secretary of State

December 21, 2012 11:09 AM

President Obama today said he was "very proud" to nominate John Kerry as his next Secretary of State, adding, "In a sense, John's entire life has prepared him for this role."

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IRS chief: Disclosure of targeting was intentional
1:25 May 17, 2013

IRS chief: Disclosure of targeting was intentional

Acting IRS commissioner Steven Miller told Congress that senior IRS official Lois Lerner's disclosure last week that the agency had engaged in excessive targeting of conservative groups was the result of a "planned Q&A," and that he "talked about" the question with the questioner before the event began.
No "silver bullet" to stop military sexual assaults, says Hagel
2:16 May 17, 2013

No "silver bullet" to stop military sexual assaults, says Hagel

After a "very important, productive meeting" with President Obama and military leaders on the "huge problem" of sexual assault in the military, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that while there is no "silver bullet" to stop the problem, "We all have committed to turn this around, and we're going to fix the problem."
Obama on infrastructure: "We've got to up our game"
2:18 May 17, 2013

Obama on infrastructure: "We've got to up our game"

Announcing a new proposal to expedite the timeline of big infrastructure projects, President Obama said, "I'm big on rebuilding our infrastructure - bridges, airports, ports," but warned that as the rest of the world continues building their own infrastructure, "We've got to up our game."
Michelle Obama decries "slander" that educated blacks are "trying to act white"
1:38 May 17, 2013

Michelle Obama decries "slander" that educated blacks are "trying to act white"

During a commencement address at Bowie State University on Friday, first lady Michelle Obama urged the graduates of the historically black university to "please stand up and reject the slander that says a black child with a book is trying to act white," instructing them to "be an example of excellence for the next generation."
IRS chief: "We're not done" holding people accountable
1:59 May 17, 2013

IRS chief: "We're not done" holding people accountable

Asked whether he thinks more needs to be done to right the ship at the IRS, or whether his resignation and that of another senior official are sufficient, acting IRS commissioner Steven Miller said, "We're not done yet," explaining, "We now have the Treasury inspector general's report, we now have the sense of the facts - now is the time for those that remain" to continue pursuing accountability.
Rangel blames Citizens United for exempt groups' "abuse" of tax code
2:57 May 17, 2013

Rangel blames Citizens United for exempt groups' "abuse" of tax code

After the Citizens United Supreme Court case, the number of groups applying for 501(c)4 tax exempt status - which were the type of groups targeted by the IRS for increased scrutiny - "increased dramatically," said Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. "It's almost an invitation as the law is written for abuse in terms of political activities."
IRS commissioner: "Targeting" is a "pejorative" term
2:00 May 17, 2013

IRS commissioner: "Targeting" is a "pejorative" term

Acting IRS commissioner Steven Miller said his predecessor Douglas Shulman was not being untruthful when he denied before Congress that "targeting" of conservative groups was taking place, explaining that "targeting" is a "pejorative" term that implies political motivations, while the singling out of conservative groups at the IRS was driven by a desire to be more efficient in processing applications for tax exempt status.