SUPREME COURT // The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Judge Gorsuch on a 11-9 party-line vote. Meanwhile, Democrats have the necessary votes to filibuster (or block) an up-or-down vote on the nomination. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell insists that the Senate will vote on the nomination this Friday. http://cvote.it/2nVdL6k
PRO-LIFE // The State Department said it was ending funding for the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) because it “supports, or participates in the management of, a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.” http://cvote.it/2oTfk2k
HEALTH CARE // Vice President Mike Pence presented an idea to the House Freedom Caucus meeting which would allow states to choose to apply for waivers to repeal two Obamacare regulations that conservatives argue are driving up premiums. Pence’s push is a major attempt to revive Obamacare repeal as early as this week. http://cvote.it/2nVsG0i
NATIONAL SECURITY // Former national security adviser Susan Rice requested the identities of U.S. persons in raw intelligence reports that were connected to Donald Trump’s transition and campaign. http://cvote.it/2nVf4C8
SPECIAL ELECTION // A new poll shows Republicans stabilizing their position in a conservative-leaning district in Georgia. A special election is being held to replace Tom Price, who was sworn in as HHS Secretary. For weeks, national Democrats have been emboldened by positive poll numbers for Democrat Jon Ossoff, predicting that he might win an upset in the April 18 election. http://cvote.it/2oSXblh
CHOOSE LIFE // Nebraska Legislature passes bill allowing drivers to purchase Choose Life license plates. Gov. Pete Ricketts is expected to sign the bill, which would make Nebraska the 30th state to offer such plates. Michigan lawmakers are also considering similar legislation. http://cvote.it/2oSM9wv
TUESDAY TRIVIA // Who is the only U.S. President ever to have been buried under a national flag other than the Stars and Stripes?
SUPREME COURT // The number of Supreme Court justices appointed in the past 100 years is 47. But with longer life expectancy and the recent trend of younger Supreme Court nominees (Gorsuch is 49), the number of Supreme Court nominees over the next 100 years will be just 25. http://cvote.it/2nVeK6o
CATHOLIC // The Internet lit up recently when a Rhode Island bishop posted a message on Facebook encouraging people not to give to panhandlers. http://cvote.it/2oT07hT
CATHOLIC // “To everything there is a season, and in this season we address our stark spirit devoid of the window dressing,” says Father Brian Mullady, OP, on Lent. http://cvote.it/2oSM9w8
TRIVIA ANSWER // He first tried to prevent the war. But once the Civil War began, former President John Tyler was elected to the Provisional Confederate Congress and later to the Confederate House of Representatives. He died during the War in 1862. He wanted a simple funeral, but Confederate President Jefferson Davis made it much more political and considered Tyler a hero to the new nation. His coffin was draped in the Confederate flag.
SAINT // Saint Isidore of Seville – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS // “O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.” (Ps 102:2) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
REMEMBER // Democrats have just secured enough members to filibuster. But it wasn’t long ago they were saying this.