RELIGIOUS LIBERTY // Dozens of Republicans in Congress sent a letter to President Trump urging him to restore religious liberty: “We … request that you sign the draft executive order on religious liberty, as reported by numerous outlets on February 2, 2017, in order to protect millions of Americans whose religious freedom has been attacked or threatened over the last eight years.” http://cvote.it/2q4avaI
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY // The Trump administration has asked the federal courts for an additional 60 days to negotiate with religious organizations over the HHS mandate. While the delay can be frustrating for all of us who cherish religious liberty, we should recognize that there’s actually a good reason for the delay. Several key people at the Justice Department who would potentially handle this case almost certainly would have to recuse themselves because they were hired from the very law firm that spearheaded the case against the HHS mandate. Or like Associate Attorney General nominee Rachel Brand, they haven’t yet been confirmed by the Senate. http://cvote.it/2oKiJkt
SANCTUARY CITIES // A San Francisco judge has blocked enforcement of President Trump’s executive order barring federal funds from so-called sanctuary cities. The Trump administration may ask the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco to overturn the ruling. http://cvote.it/2q4bBTF
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY // The Alabama House sends a bill protecting the right of religious organizations to handle adoptions according to their religious teachings on marriage and family. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk after the 87-0 vote (with 6 abstentions). http://cvote.it/2oKgHRg
MOB // A liberal mob of about 200 people went beyond ‘protesting’ and muscled their way into the lobby of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank located a few blocks from the United States Capitol. http://cvote.it/2oKoEps
DEMOCRATS // Former President Barack Obama will collect $400,000 for a speech to Wall Street. http://cvote.it/2oK7JU7
DEMOCRATS // A Washington Post poll finds that two-thirds of Americans think that the Democratic Party is out of touch with the country — including nearly half of Democrats. http://cvote.it/2q3XlKB
RED TAPE // Working with Republican lawmakers through the Congressional Review Act, President Donald Trump has signed more regulatory rollbacks than any other president. http://cvote.it/2q3YnGR
SCIENCE // Scientists have created an “artificial womb” in the hopes of someday using the device to save babies born extremely prematurely. So far it’s been tested on fetal lambs with some success. http://cvote.it/2oK3LuB
CATHOLIC // Pope Francis delivers a Ted Talk: “Why the only future worth building includes everyone.” Ted Talks are free online speeches from expert speakers on education, business, science, tech, and creativity. http://cvote.it/2oK4VX1
CATHOLIC // Pope Francis will not use a bulletproof vehicle during his trip to Egypt this weekend, despite recent terror attacks against Christians in the country. http://cvote.it/2q4oRYK
SAINT // Saint Pedro de San José Betancur – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS // “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” (Ps 34:7) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
NEAT // Four nuns have formed a band at Catholic U. It’s called Force of Habit. http://cvote.it/2oKaghb