FOREIGN POLICY // President Trump signed an executive order reinstating President Reagan’s pro-life ‘Mexico City’ policy, which prohibits U.S. foreign aid from going to organizations that commit abortions. http://cvote.it/2kbeCM9
TRADE // President Trump signed an executive order removing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. Trump says TPP is harmful to U.S. workers and robs the manufacturing sector. http://cvote.it/2kb2KtA
GOVERNMENT // In a third executive order, President Trump imposed a federal government employee hiring freeze, except for the military. Both Carter and Reagan had once imposed similar orders. http://cvote.it/2kbgkNM
LABOR // Trump brought union leaders to the White House to talk about trade, manufacturing, and infrastructure. And after the meeting, labor leaders were absolutely gushing about Trump. “The respect [he] just showed us… was nothing short of incredible.” But the mainstream media was mostly oblivious to this story (hey, they missed the big story in 2016). During the campaign, Trump won the hearts of union voters. Now Trump might be winning over some of their leadership, too. Worth clicking just to watch the video: http://cvote.it/2kb8uDE
SUPREME COURT // Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to rule out the possibility of invoking the so-called “nuclear option” — would allow a majority of Senators to end debate, and vote on confirming a Supreme Court justice. http://cvote.it/2kbdnNf
INTELLIGENCE // Senate confirms Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-KS, to head CIA, 66-32. Democrats expressed concern that Pompeo did not thoroughly rule out interrogation tactics which they consider to be torture. http://cvote.it/2kbkyFe
CATHOLIC // Catholic blogger Jenny of Mama Needs Coffee admits she wanted to write something snarky about all her friends who participated in the “Women’s March” — which many marchers didn’t realize was organized by pro-abortion groups. “However wrong I believe their cause, however appalling I find their tactics, I cannot dismiss the humanity of these angry, hurting people.” http://cvote.it/2jkehbD
WORD OF THE DAY // Mexico City Policy – The prohibition of taxpayer funds to organizations which commit abortion or lobby governments to change their pro-life laws. The policy, first instituted by President Reagan was announced at a population conference held in Mexico City, thus giving the policy its name. Presidents Clinton and Obama both rescinded the policy.
SAINT // Saint Francis de Sales – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS // “Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.” (Ps 40:8) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
INTERESTING // At his Senate confirmation hearing, Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-MT, wore something unusual: socks with Our Lady of Guadalupe imprinted on them. For the record, Zinke is not Catholic, but Lutheran. http://cvote.it/2jkmn3Z