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OBAMACARE BACK IN COURT A three-judge panel considered striking down some or all of Obamacare during a 90-minute hearing at a federal court in New Orleans. At issue is Obamacare’s mandate to buy health insurance. Republicans passed a law in 2017 to reduce the penalty for not purchasing health insurance to $0 – calling into question whether the law was still enforceable. The judges didn’t indicate how they would rule. Regardless of the outcome, the decision is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court. READ |
| LABOR SECRETARY ON HOT SEAT Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi both called on Labor Secretary Alex Acosta to resign over a plea deal he struck with billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested over the weekend for sex trafficking victims as young as 14. Acosta applauded prosecutors in New York for pursuing the case based on “new evidence and additional testimony.” READ |
| ROSS PEROT, DEAD AT 89 Texas billionaire and third-party presidential candidate, H. Ross Perot, passed away at 89. In his 1992 campaign, Perot railed against the NAFTA trade deal, the decline in manufacturing, and large budget deficits. In many ways, his positions were similar to President Donald Trump, with the very notable exception that Perot was not pro-life. He won 19% of the vote in 1992, the highest mark for a third-party candidate since 1912. READ |
| TEACHERS FOR ABORTION The National Education Association formally endorsed the “fundamental right to abortion” in a resolution at their annual conference in Houston. Pro-life teacher Rebecca Friedrichs said: “For more than three decades the NEA has denied taking a pro-abortion position. This vote removes all doubt about where they stand.” She added: “NEA assumes all teachers agree with their radical agenda. WE DO NOT.” READ |
| CALIFORNIA SEX ED The California Board of Education implemented a new sex and gender education curriculum for public schools, regardless of parental knowledge or consent in some cases. To help implement the curriculum, the California Board of Education established a Health Education Framework board with representatives from school districts, teachers, and academics, as well the director of community education for Planned Parenthood. READ |
| SCHOOL VALUES The San Francisco Board of Education unanimously voted in favor of painting over a mural of George Washington standing over a Native American’s corpse. The painting was funded by the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration in 1936. READ |
| QUOTE OF THE DAY Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was asked about an NBC News story that his ancestor was a slave owner. McConnell replied: “I find myself once again in the same position as President Obama. We both oppose reparations and we both are the descendants of slaveholders.” READ |
| FAITH & THE VA The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued new policies to permit religious literature and symbols at VA hospitals, like Christmas decorations and other religious displays. “We want to make sure that all of our veterans and their families feel welcome at VA, no matter their religious beliefs. Protecting religious liberty is a key part of how we accomplish that goal,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie. READ |
| NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRALThe French government continues to move forward with restoration of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame to its original state. New legislation will provide tax breaks to citizens who have donated to support the historic building. Construction workers have been working nearly round-the-clock since the April fire. READ |
| CHURCH SCANDAL A priest in Detroit accused of abuse has been removed from ministry while an investigation is underway. The priest strenously denied the charges. The priest is pastor of a popular parish in Detroit known as Assumption Grotto. READ |
| SAINT OF THE DAY A Capuchin Poor Clare, Saint Veronica Giuliani received the unique gift of the stigmata of Christ. Few people have been blessed with these marks; Saint Francis of Assisi was probably the most notable among them. Saint Veronica suffered misunderstandings because of the gift, but she endured through it all and was able to serve her community in several administrative roles. READ |
| DAILY READINGS “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.” (Ps 33:2) READ |
| INSPIRING A pregnancy center saved her life. Now she tries to save others. SHARE |
