MILITARY // The media went into a frenzy when President Trump announced that transgendered individuals will not be allowed to serve in the military. But there are several reasons why such accommodations aren’t compatible with military realities. http://cvote.it/2v19Dpf
HEALTH CARE // Six Republicans who voted for Obamacare repeal in 2015, decided to vote it down yesterday. But it looks like a far more modest ‘repeal’ of Obamacare could get to 50 votes. Known as a ‘skinny’ repeal, the bill would not reduce Medicaid reductions but would repeal the individual mandate (forcing people to purchase insurance). http://cvote.it/2v19KBk
HEALTH CARE // Can Republicans pass health care reform without selling it? Republicans missed an opportunity to hold hearings, consult experts, and build coalitions and consensus early in the process of repealing Obamacare. http://cvote.it/2v0UbJY
VATICAN // President Trump has taken a suggestion made by CatholicVote.org and other religious freedom organizations and announced a new position titled ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. His nominee is a perfect choice: Gov. Sam Brownback. “Religious Freedom is the first freedom. The choice of what you do with your own soul. I am honored to serve such an important cause,” he said. http://cvote.it/2v16V31
TAXES // Top White House adviser Steve Bannon is pushing for tax reform, including a new 44% top marginal rate on people earning more than $5 million a year. President Trump echoed this when he told the Wall Street Journal Tuesday: “If there’s upward revision it’s going to be on high-income people. I have wealthy friends that say to me, ‘I don’t mind paying more tax.'” http://cvote.it/2v0YXah
WORSHIP // Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco announced a revamped liturgy institute to “reclaim the Catholic imagination” especially through literature. Maggie Gallagher of the pro-family American Principle Project will head the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship. http://cvote.it/2v1035M
CULTURE // Catholic film critic Stephen Greydanus on the new movie Dunkirk: “The film is a victory: a celebration of a spirit of solidarity that seems all but lost today.” http://cvote.it/2v1lq6S
CATHOLIC // Eight ways NOT to make a good confession. http://cvote.it/2tF3Gef
SAINT // Saint Antonio Lucci – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS // “Glory and praise for ever!” (Daniel 3:52) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
WITNESS // These nuns offer their blindness for the salvation of the world. http://cvote.it/2tF594d