GOVERNMENT BACK OPEN Despite a weekend of blustering, Senate Democrats caved on their demand to resolve DACA in order to reopen the federal government. The Senate voted 81-18 to break the filibuster that prevented passage of a funding bill. http://cvote.it/2DDw6h6
LIBERAL IN-FIGHTING Left-wing activists are “furious” with Democratic senators for ending the shutdown and are calling the vote to reopen the government the #SchumerSellout. “What’s clear from today’s joke deal is that the grass-roots movement demanding unity and courage has a lot of work to do to ensure that the whole Democratic Caucus is ready to fight when the time comes,” said Ben Wikler of the liberal group MoveOn.org. http://cvote.it/2DCYeRq
FINALLY, A VOTE! The Senate is moving ahead on the nomination of Gov. Sam Brownback, R-KS, to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. A final vote on confirmation could come early next week. President Trump nominated Brownback in July. http://cvote.it/2DE9f4T
MEDIA BIAS The liberal website Politico is smearing a new office at HHS which they warn is full of “politically prominent evangelicals.” (Even though most of the people they mentioned were Catholics.) Their crime? Rolling back the Obama administration’s attack on our religious freedoms. http://cvote.it/2DxS4lB
HOUSE 2018 The Democratic majority on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the state’s Congressional map, and demanded new lines drawn for the 2018 elections. It’s a major setback for Pennsylvania Republicans who believe a new map will result in the loss of at least two House seats. http://cvote.it/2DEk5Ys
MODESTY House Liberals were furious when Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur suggested that immodest attire could come across as “an invitation” to inappropriate comments. She clarified that it’s not the victim’s fault, but she insisted that a more professional dress code would serve Congress well. http://cvote.it/2DD7GEa
MIDEAST CHRISTIANS Why is a NATO member country helping Al Qaeda kill Christians in Syria? http://cvote.it/2DCUiQA
CLERGY SCANDAL Pope Francis admitted that his comments in Chile on sexual abuse were ‘not the best.’ http://cvote.it/2DzIz5o
SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Marianne Cope – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS READINGS “Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!” (Ps 24:7) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
AMAZING While we wait for the Winter Olympics… Poland’s annual priest-skiing competition is underway. And the prize is called the John Paul II Cup! http://cvote.it/2DzO2cb