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| THURSDAY, JANUARY 3 |
| DEMOCRATS START WITH ABORTION It’s the first day of the new, divided Congress with a Republican Senate and a Democratic House. And the Democrats have inserted language into a bill to end the partial government shutdown that would repeal President Trump’s pro-life Mexico City policy that prevents U.S. foreign aid going to organizations that support abortion. Such legislation will likely face steep opposition in the Senate. READ |
| TAX RETURNS AND THE PRESIDENCY The first bill offered by House Democrats in the new Congress will be legislation to require presidential and vice-presidential candidates to make public 10 years of tax returns within 15 days of becoming their party’s nominee. The legislation is unlikely to become law, but Democrats plan on emphasizing President Trump’s unwillingness to share his income tax returns. READ |
| CONGRESS 2019 Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, has said she won’t support a rules package promoted by Nancy Pelosi. The divide between progressives like Ocasio-Cortez and establishment Democrats like Pelosi is just one of four interesting storylines to watch as Democrats take over the House. READ |
| STATE JUDGE BLOCKS PRO-LIFE LAW A state district judge in Kansas has blocked a state law prohibiting “telemedicine” abortions — where women consult a doctor via video chat rather than an in-person visit. In 2017, there were nearly 4,000 medication abortions in Kansas, but it was unknown how many were performed by telemedicine. READ |
| TRUMP AND ROMNEY Sen.-elect Mitt Romney, R-UT, wrote an op-ed critical of President Trump’s character in the Washington Post. “With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring,” wrote Romney. President Trump responded, but not as harshly as one might expect. Trump tweeted: “I won big, and he didn’t. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!” READ |
| BIRTH CERTIFICATES New York City residents can now change their birth certificates to reflect a “neutral gender identity.” In addition to male and female, New York City now includes a third category of “X.” READ |
| CATHOLIC NAME CHANGE In Baltimore, the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal has been renamed the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries. And a spokesman for the archdiocese made clear that funds go for ministries and programs of the church, and that no funds are used for anything related to clergy sex abuse. READ |
| SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians that Jesus’ name is above every other name. It is the name in which we are all saved. Devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus is deeply rooted in Christian history. READ |
| DAILY READINGS “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.” (Ps 98:1) READ |
| DEVOTION On this feast day, join us in praying the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus on behalf of our Bishops who are on retreat. READ |