Subject: US Administration Fumbles on Calling ISIS Actions 'Genocide'

John Kerry can't decide whether ISIS is carrying out genocide, just as administration couldn't figure out Syria 'red line.'

US Secretary of State John Kerry will miss a deadline imposed by Congress to rule on whether ISIS's murders of Christians in Syria and Iraq amount to genocide.

Lawmakers set Thursday as the day on which the State Department would have to confirm whether the US government regards the brutal ISIS persecution of religious minorities as a crime against humanity.

But department spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday that Kerry was still gathering evidence before making his determination and would miss the deadline -- an admission sure to trigger anger on Capitol Hill.

"Given the scope and the breadth of the analysis he's contemplating, he will not have a final decision completed by the Congressionally-mandated deadline tomorrow," Toner said.

"What more does Secretary John Kerry need to see and hear in order to call these atrocities for what they are?" House speaker Paul Ryan said.

"This is genocide, plain and simple. The House has spoken very clearly on this. And we all continue to pray for the persecuted."

More