Management

Obama to tap Kerry as secretary of State

Appointment has been anticipated since Susan Rice withdrew her name.

Oversight

Play of the Day: It's the end of the world as we know it

It's holiday -- and apocalypse -- time on late night.

Oversight

Why a fiscal cliff deal is still possible

The best time to negotiate may be when the Capitol is empty.

Oversight

How Boehner's Plan B vote imploded

In the end, the House Speaker couldn't win the support of his own conference.

Management

Boehner fails to get GOP to back Plan B; House recesses

Status of fiscal cliff negotiations grow murkier.

Pay & Benefits

House approves military pay raise

Defense authorization conference report also directs Pentagon to shrink its workforce.

Management

OMB: Furloughs are a last resort under sequestration

Administration says agencies won’t furlough employees immediately if spending cuts hit Jan. 2.

Defense

Defense secretary possibility made name opposing global warming accord

Forget about his Israel comments. Chuck Hagel's record on the environment is the real problem.

Oversight

Analysis: Veterans no longer dominate American politics

After Inouye, still fewer military vets in the Senate.

Oversight

GOP Plan B lowers taxes on certain wealthy households

Those earning between $200,000 and $1 million would see reduced burden, experts say.

Oversight

Congress approves Hatch Act update

Some state and local officials will be able to run for partisan elected office.

Oversight

Obama wants recommendations from new gun task force next month

President urges Congress to move quickly on tightening restrictions.

Management

Three at State Department resign following Benghazi report

Security chief and two others step down, AP says, citing unnamed source.

Oversight

Joe Biden will head effort to curb gun violence

Effort is part of the emerging White House strategy, which includes support for assault weapons ban.

Oversight

House Republicans' support for Plan B on fiscal cliff uncertain

Neither alternative measure would address the sequester.

Oversight

Democrats dodge questions on spending cuts

Obama’s plan calls for $1.2 trillion in reductions, including a switch to the chained CPI.