RUSSIA // The Justice Department said that then-Sen. Jeff Sessions met twice with the Russian ambassador in 2016 (as is common with members of the United States Senate.) Democrats responded by saying this contradicted his sworn testimony during his confirmation hearings for Attorney General. But Sessions was asked a specific question about whether he spoke with the Russians in regards to the election, and he said he did not. To avoid any conflict of interest, Attorney General Sessions announced that he would recuse himself from the current and any future Russian probe. http://cvote.it/2mgx61p
RUSSIA // Democrats continue to fixate on Russia in hopes it will delegitimize Donald Trump. But this runs the risk of becoming an obsession for Democrats — one that distracts them from a making a more persuasive case against the Trump administration. http://cvote.it/2mgH7vD
ABORTION // House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-CA, calls on health secretary Tom Price to eliminate an abortion mandate issues in California. The Weldon Amendment, passed in the Bush administration, prohibits states and local governments from discriminating against health care providers who refuse to provide or refer for abortions. http://cvote.it/2mgxZXE
CATHOLIC // Notre Dame picks Mike Pence as Commencement Speaker. http://cvote.it/2mgMHhv
CABINET // Rick Perry and Ben Carson confirmed to Cabinet posts. http://cvote.it/2mgZz7o
MEDIA // 88% of network news coverage of President Trump in his first 30 days was negative. http://cvote.it/2mgKyCx
FRIDAY FUNNY // “‘This Sessions/Russia thing is totally gonna end Trump.’ — People who haven’t watched any news about Trump in two years. -Jon Gabiel, @exjon
ABORTION // Donors pledged nearly $200 million for Planned Parenthood’s international arm after President Trump cut them off U.S. foreign aid. Sounds like they don’t need funding from the federal government after all. http://cvote.it/2mgNOxu
SPORTS // San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick says he won’t protest during the national anthem during the 2017 season. Perhaps another motivating factor for his decision? He’s expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. Many credit his actions with the league’s 8% decline in ratings last year. http://cvote.it/2mgIVVk
EDUCATION // Study finds charter and voucher schools do better than public schools. http://cvote.it/2mgJHlj
CATHOLIC // Abuse survivor resigns from Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, citing frustrations with ‘a lack of cooperation’ by the Curia as a leading factor. http://cvote.it/2mgP5VD
SAINT // Saint Katharine Drexel – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS // “A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.” (Ps 51:19) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
FUNNY // If you haven’t picked something to give up for Lent yet, here are 40 things you should consider… http://cvote.it/2mgRiAe