At Scotus blog, Rick Garnett renders his always thoughtful interpretation of the issues at stake in Zubik v. Burwell, the Supreme Court case on the HHS contraception mandate. But, of course, I always get a chuckle when Catholic scholars link religious and civil liberties without noting that, as a matter of history, the purpose of that linkage was to defeat "popery."
Congress passed enormous tax and spending bills today, and they offered a bit of help to Puerto Rico, adjusting Medicaid reimbursement rates and other health related issues. But, the fiscal sky is falling and while Congress was able to make sure a host of tax cuts and spending measures that will help people who are already rich made it into the final package, they were unable to provide Puerto Rico with bankruptcy protection, which would not have cost taxpayers a dime. This was all about the power of the hedge funds, and the money they have been throwing at Congress. It is appalling.
At RNS, Mark Silk has a good sendup on the War on Christmas.
