Washington, DC - The Federal Trade Commission has adjusted the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for violations of 16 provisions of law the FTC enforces, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. The Act directs agencies to implement annual inflation adjustments based on a prescribed formula. The new maximum civil penalty amounts will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register.

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will discuss our nation’s top foreign policy priorities leading into the next administration during the U.S. Institute of Peace’s “Passing the Baton 2017: America's Role in the World” event,

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, joined by former Secretaries of State Madeleine K. Albright, Colin L. Powell, and Hillary Rodham Clinton, will deliver remarks at a reception celebrating the completion of the U.S. Diplomacy Center Pavilion at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.

Washington, DC - President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "Throughout my career, including as Secretary of State, I have stood strongly in support of the LGBTI community, recognizing that respect for human rights must include respect for all individuals. LGBTI employees serve as proud members of the State Department and valued colleagues dedicated to the service of our country. For the past several years, the Department has pressed for the families of LGBTI officers to have the same protections overseas as families of other officers. In 2015, to further promote LGBTI rights throughout the world, I appointed the first ever Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons.

Washington, DC - The holiday season is in full swing, and you're probably in a last-minute-gift-buying, party-planning frenzy right now. The last thing on your mind? Taxes. For most people, sparing a thought for the upcoming tax season is the ultimate "bah humbug." But this mindset could cost you big when April 15th rolls around, warns tax and business attorney Barbara Weltman.