LOOP: Thune threatens to cancel August recess over nominee delays

FRIDAY, JULY 25 THUNE MAY CANCEL AUGUST RECESS TO VOTE ON NOMINEES Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-SD, may cancel the Senate's August recess to address the massive backlog of President Donald Trump's nominees. Democrats have so far refused to confirm any through the Senate's usual procedures, Thune said this week, including the practices of advancing nominees by unanimous consent or voice vote. Thune noted that Trump is the first president in history to reach this point in his term without a single nominee confirmed by either method.  READ CATHOLICVOTE RALLIES SUPPORT FOR GAZA'S CATHOLICS  CatholicVote is calling on the faithful to stand in solidarity with the suffering Christian community in Gaza, urging renewed attention to the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire of war. "It's time to recover the moral high ground on this issue," said CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt.  READ NEW DETAILS EMERGE OF FBI SURVEILLANCE OF CATHOLICS  The House Judiciary Committee released a report July 22 revealing that the Biden-era FBI devoted far more federal law enforcement resources to surveilling Catholics than previously known, while failing to disclose the full extent of its operations to Congress. CatholicVote's Elise Winland has the details. READ GOP SENATORS DEMAND SPECIAL COUNSEL IN OBAMA CASE  Senators Lindsey Graham, R-SC, and John Cornyn, R-TX, are urging the Department of Justice to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations that the Obama administration weaponized US intelligence agencies to fabricate the Trump-Russia collusion narrative after Trump's 2016 election victory. READ WSJ COLUMN: PLANNED PARENTHOOD FLAILING  Planned Parenthood may be looking at a "dire future" as it wrestles with political opposition, shifting mission focuses, and profound financial difficulties, according to a July 18 article in the Wall Street Journal. The article observed that the nation's largest abortion provider has pivoted to spending much of its time and energy on pro-"transgender"-related efforts. READ RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VICTORY IN NEW YORK  A Christian photographer in New York has favorably settled her lawsuit against the state over laws that required her to create messages about marriage that go against her faith. New York's laws had threatened Emilee Carpenter with up to $100,000 in fines, up to one year in jail, and a revoked business license if she refused clients' requests to photograph same-sex "weddings."  READ   ISRAELI MILITARY CLAIMS STRIKE ON CHURCH WAS ACCIDENTAL  The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed this week that a misfired munition was responsible for the deadly July 17 strike on Holy Family Church in Gaza. The IDF also said it has now reinforced its targeting guidelines for conducting military activity near religious and sensitive locations.  READ AD: BEAUTY ISN'T VANITY. IT'S STEWARDSHIP.  You were fearfully and wonderfully made. Caring for that creation is a sacred act. Core Ritual Skincare offers a reverent, nourishing routine made with clean, natural ingredients that honor your body as a temple. And, LOOPers get 20% off their first purchase with promo code TheLoop20! TRY IT NOW! PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLOSES DOORS IN TYLER, TEXAS  Planned Parenthood has closed its Tyler, Texas, facility, turning to offering "telehealth" services in the region. The Tyler facility previously provided contraception and "birth control education," pregnancy tests and consulting, screenings for sexually transmitted infections, "gender-affirming care," and the abortion-inducing "morning-after pill."  READ US BISHOPS CALL FOR SUPPORT OF BOOMING AFRICAN CHURCH  As the Catholic Church in Africa continues to grow in numbers and vitality, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is renewing calls for international outreach through its Solidarity Fund, which has supported ministries across the continent with millions of dollars in aid.  READ BONUS NEWS...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP: •    Democrats' confidence in public institutions has hit a record low. READ •    The Diocese of Wichita is helping parishes care for the vulnerable in a big way. READ •    A major medical group is facing pressure to reexamine the abortion reversal pill.  READ MALE-ONLY SPACES  We've all been getting behind the importance of protecting women's spaces, and rightly so. But here's a reminder that men are also victims of society's collective sexual confusion. Male-only spaces are now seen as totally valueless, as if there could be no valid reason for men to exclude the company of women. Here's what's missing from that assumption.  READ CATHOLIC 101  In a world driven by efficiency and demand for instant results, it's important to remember that spiritual growth doesn't follow a checklist. Unlike fitness goals or productivity hacks, deepening our relationship with God unfolds slowly, uniquely, and often imperceptibly. Let a spiritual director explain.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  Today, we honor Saint James, the brother of Saint John the Evangelist and the first of the 12 Apostles to be martyred. The Gospels tell us that the two brothers left their father Zebedee and followed Jesus as soon as He called out to them. READ DAILY PSALM  "Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing." (Psalm 126:5)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ THE DEEP  Erika investigates the American crisis of masculinity. Why are women choosing single motherhood over marriage? Why are men no longer hitting their life milestones? What do politics and money have to do with it? Get all the answers on this episode of the Deep!  WATCH Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization. Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here. CATHOLICVOTE  |  PO Box 3310  |  Carmel, IN 46082  |  (317) 669-6127