ALABAMA SENATE Democrat Doug Jones stuns the political world by winning the special election in Alabama, handing the Democrats a major victory in the deeply Republican state of Alabama. The Senate Republican majority will now rest at 51-49. Jones will serve until the 2020 elections. http://cvote.it/2C9RIxG
ALABAMA SENATE Mitch McConnell’s meddling in the Senate race is the reason that Democrat Doug Jones is Senator-Elect, says veteran election adviser Jordan Gehrke. http://cvote.it/2C8BTYj
JUDGES The Senate confirms Leonard Steve Grasz to the 8th Circuit in a 50-48 vote. http://cvote.it/2C82rsw
CHANGING THE JUDICIARY After months of stalling, the Senate is actually on pace to break a record for the number of appeals court judges confirmed in a president’s first year in office — a big victory for the president, but also for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. http://cvote.it/2C8lkf3
TAX PLAN The final negotiations over the GOP tax bill are underway. It appears that the final corporate tax rate will land at 21%, with the top individual tax rate lowering modestly to 37%. http://cvote.it/2Cb22ph
QUOTE OF THE DAY “Republican control of the Senate is now in GRAVE jeopardy for 2018.” -election analyst Sean Trende.
HEALTH CARE House Republicans seek delays on Obamacare taxes on medical devices and the so-called Cadillac tax on more expensive health insurance policies. Another proposal was delaying the employer mandate, which forces all employers of 50 or more full-time workers to provide health care coverage to employees. http://cvote.it/2C6kL5o
SEXUAL HARASSMENT Hey, Democrats! The worst sex fiends are pro-abortion. http://cvote.it/2C8l1Rr
CATHOLICISM The influence of Benedict XVI on Cardinals Muller and Sarah. http://cvote.it/2C8Upjk
FAITH AMID FLAMES Catholics in Ventura County recount stories of survival amid wildfires. http://cvote.it/2C8TL5o
SAINT OF THE DAY Saint Lucy – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS READINGS “O bless the Lord, my soul!” (Ps 103:1) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
BEAUTY These Domincan brothers are releasing a folk album. http://cvote.it/2C9arcQ