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Capitol Hill was split and busy this week.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8-5 Thursday to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress for pleading the Fifth 100+ times last week. Fauci said he feared being tricked into perjury and facing new charges; Republicans counter that President Biden’s pardon shields him from incriminating himself for actions between 2014-2025, nullifying his legal right to plead the Fifth (check out our three-minute recap on pleading the Fifth).

Fauci’s lawyer called the move a “crude political stunt.” Committee Chairman Paul (R-KY) bypassed the full-Senate-approval step, not wanting to “waste time,” and sent the criminal referral straight to the DOJ.

Meanwhile, the full chamber voted 51-44 (red v. blue with one Dem crossover) Wednesday to confirm Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC Director, giving the agency its first permanent leader in almost a year.

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PRAY WITH US
Righteous Lawgiver, give wisdom to our fallen leaders legislating in a fallen world, so that they might manage sin-caused chaos with dignity and skill. Direct their steps so they can direct a diverse country toward flourishing and goodwill and peace. Give them insight into the needs of their constituents and courage to lead, so they might serve out of love instead of performing for their own gain. Give them favor among their colleagues, so they earn and carefully steward trust and negotiate in good faith. And when they disagree on the best way forward, may they model gentleness, respect, and humility, creatively compromising to bring about the good of the public. Amen.

Marine One and a commercial jet got a little too cozy Tuesday.

Both the FAA and the NTSB are investigating why a plane was allowed to take off from Ronald Reagan National Airport right as President Trump’s helicopter left the White House with #47 aboard. 

After 67 people died in 2025 when an airliner collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter in the same heavily congested airspace, the FAA imposed new protocols to shut down the area anytime a helicopter passes by on a conflicting route. Officials suspect that traffic controllers failed to halt flights, leading to a “momentary loss of separation” (aviation-speak translation: the ‘crafts got closer than allowed… see how close here). 

According to the FAA, air traffic control was in contact with both pilots the whole time and “the President was never in danger.”

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
A close call can shake us up with the reminder of our fragility. But God counts the hairs on our heads and knows the exact number of our days; our lives cannot be cut short of His planned moments for us. Serve and take joy in Him with every day He gives.

“Don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more… Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:4-7 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Ongoing conflicts reportedly have weapons supplies running low.

Ukraine is raising alarms about depleted air defenses in its four-and-a-half-year war with Russia. Forces were unable to intercept any ballistic missiles as Moscow bombarded Kyiv Wednesday, killing at least 21 and injuring dozens. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy responded by hitting oil facilities deep in Russia and pleaded (again) for Western allies to help with defense.

At home, concerns about Uncle Sam’s own military readiness are growing as sources warn the Army has used “virtually all” its stockpiled long-range surface-to-surface missiles during its five-month war with Iran. President Trump denied reports, promising the Pentagon has “massive” munitions arsenals and defense manufacturers are expanding output. Precise counts are classified.

Meanwhile, diplomats are reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Iran for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

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Verse to consider whether inventory of your own resources leaves you confident or anxious… “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT) (read full passage)

Chipotle’s sweatin’ over salmonella cases linked to its jalapeños, swapping suppliers while health officials investigate. Meanwhile, the cyclosporiasis outbreak widened to 15 states Wednesday when the CDC tallied newly reported cases (see which states are on the list); officials are still looking for other potential sources of the parasite beyond the tip of the iceberg contaminated lettuce, explaining that gathering data takes weeks.


Lindsay Clancy’s trial is underway in Massachusetts. Charged with first-degree murder in the January 2023 deaths of her three young children, Clancy hasn’t disputed killing them but pleaded not guilty. Her lawyers cite undiagnosed postpartum psychosis; prosecutors say she acted deliberately. If found not criminally responsible, she’ll be committed to a psychiatric facility in lieu of life without parole. (Unsettled by this story? Pray with us.)


Abdul El-Sayed secured a one-point win in Michigan’s marquee matchup for the Democratic Senate bid. The former health official overcame centrist Rep. Stevens and her record-setting $65M campaign spending, rallying progressive Dems in the purple state’s primary. His November faceoff against Rep. Rogers (R-MI) will be closely watched, potentially determining which party controls the Senate.


Myspace wants to help you post like it’s 2005. In the new documentary “Myspace,” owners of the platform that once rivaled Facebook revealed plans to relaunch, ditching algorithms and ad-driven content in favor of user creativity, profile customization, and chronological feeds featuring your second cousin’s new baby. Nostalgic millennials are working on their top-8s wish lists for the platform’s resurrection.


Coming to a pharmacy near you: mRNA flu vaccines. Wednesday, the FDA approved the nation’s first mRNA flu vaccine for people 50+ after research found Moderna’s mFlusiva was 27% more effective than your standard flu shot. Moderna says the new vax tech* allows better strain targeting and faster manufacturing; skeptics, like HHS Sec. RFKJ, say it requires more scientific scrutiny.

*Currently speed-Googling mRNA vaccines? Don’t worry. We already did that for you. Come back tomorrow to catch our breakdown of mRNA vaccines in TPO Explains.

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This week's newest puzzle, Four Over, is live. Sixteen words, four hidden groups, all pulled from stories we covered this week. Find out if you were paying attention.