OBAMACARE // A breakaway group of five moderate Senate Republicans are now backing an amendment that would extend the target date for committees to write an Obamacare repeal bill to March 3, instead of January 27. With a 52-48 majority, Republicans in the Senate will likely have to accept the later date, especially if these five moderates stick to their guns. http://cvote.it/2iyHk8M
TRANSITION 2017 // USA Today is reporting that ExxonMobil did business with Iran, Syria, and Sudan through a European subsidiary while President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of State was a top executive of the oil giant. Exxon says the transactions were legal. http://cvote.it/2iyFLYk
TRANSITION 2017 // Another Trump nominee is under controversy. Author and Fox News commentator Monica Crowley is being accused of plagiarizing her doctoral thesis and major portions of her 2012 book, What the (Bleep) Just Happened. Presidential administrations often run into a few hiccups as they form a new government. http://cvote.it/2jxzLmE
POLITICS // Salena Zito is one of the only reporters who understood how much rural voters and blue collar workers were attracted to Trump’s candidacy. She has a great profile on Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s campaign manager. Worth a read. http://cvote.it/2iyILny
POLITICS // A new poll reveals almost 90% of survey respondents saw protecting religious freedom as a priority. And 80% of respondents said it is an “immediate” or “important” priority to appoint Supreme Court justices who will interpret the constitution as “originally written,” and not according to what they think the constitution means today. http://cvote.it/2jxEMMf
CATHOLIC // Join the Knights of Columbus in praying this novena for national unity. http://cvote.it/2iyO1HZ
WORD OF THE DAY // Discharge petition – A petition that if signed by a majority of the House (218 members), requires a bill to come out of a committee and be moved to the floor of the House.
SAINT // Saint William of Bourges – http://cvote.it/DailySaint
DAILY READINGS // Today’s readings – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
CHAMPION // Clemson came from behind and defeated Alabama in an amazing National Championship Game last night. Both college football coaches are known for their religious faith. Here’s a profile on the faith of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. http://cvote.it/2iyZ2ZN