TRANSITION 2017 // Secretary of State-nominee Rex Tillerson is getting criticism from social conservatives because he helped convince the Boy Scouts of America to admit gay youths while serving as the organization’s president from 2010 to 2012. http://cvote.it/2hD4WvZ
ABORTION // Gov. John Kasich, R-OH, signed legislation banning abortions at 20 weeks, but vetoed the heartbeat bill which would have outlawed abortions once the baby’s heartbeat is detected. He cited concerns that the law would be immediately overturned. Kasich said: “I agree with Ohio Right to Life and other leading, pro-life advocates that SB 127 (a 20-week ban) is the best, most legally sound and sustainable approach to protecting the sanctity of human life.” http://cvote.it/2gyRy7e
TRANSITION 2017 // Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., is going to stay serving in the U.S. House. So Trump has offered the position of Secretary of the Interior to Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana. But Zinke has yet to accept. He may want to run for the United States Senate in 2018 against pro-abortion Democrat Jon Tester. Zinke, a former commander of the Navy’s elite Seal Team Six, would be a formidable Senate candidate. http://cvote.it/2gz2W2N
PP SCANDAL // Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, refers Planned Parenthood and fetal tissue companies to the Justice Department for potential prosecution. http://cvote.it/2hDeFlZ
ELECTION // Top U.S. intelligence agency breaks with CIA on report over Russia’s alleged interference with the U.S. elections. http://cvote.it/2hDnCfe
DIVIDED NO MORE? // After attacking House Speaker Paul Ryan for months, President-elect Donald Trump told a Wisconsin crowd that Ryan was “like a fine wine. Every day that goes by I get to appreciate his genius more and more.” Trump even stopped the crowd from booing Ryan’s name. [VIDEO]: http://cvote.it/2hDic3Q
CATHOLIC // This is how Pope Francis will celebrate his 80th birthday this coming Saturday. http://cvote.it/2hDc4Zl
ON THIS DAY // 1911 – Norwegian Roald Amundsen becomes the first explorer to reach the South Pole. http://cvote.it/2hDjX0H
SAINT // Saint John of the Cross – http:/cvote.it/DailySaint
DAILY READINGS // Today’s readings – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
HUMOR //