Patch Morning Briefing: Warren Silenced; Cruz v. Sanders; And Very Unusual Limes

Good morning — hope it's going well so far! Here's what you should know to start your day.

WARREN CENSURED ON SENATE FLOOR

While debate on Sen. Jeff Sessions' nomination for attorney general will continue today in the Senate, there will be one voice missing. Tuesday night, Sen. Elizabeth Warren was barred from speaking any further during the debate when the Republicans accused her of violating an obscure Senate rule, which prohibits impugning the motives of a colleague. Warren was reading a letter from Coretta Scott King, the late wife of Martin Luther King Jr., at the time.

(Patch)

CRUZ V. SANDERS

Republicans continue to move forward into the uncertain world of Obamacare — and a CNN health care debate between Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Ted Cruz amounted to little more than election 2016 fan fiction. The two presidential primary runners-up sparred ostensibly over the previous president's health care law; but with Sanders heaping praise on the Nordic social safety nets, and Cruz warning about the dangers of encroaching Bolsheviks, some of the details might have gotten lost.

(Patch)

IMMIGRATION ORDER DESTINED FOR SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court will almost certainly have to rule on the legality of President Trump's immigration order, which banned citizens from seven majority countries from entering the United States. Tuesday night, an appellate court heard the case and no matter the result — which is expected in just a few days — the losing party will most likely appeal. But with a Supreme Court split evenly between conservative and liberal judges, the ruling of the lower courts may end up being decisive.

(Patch)

QUICK HITS

Richard Hatch, Original 'Battlestar Galactica's' Captain Apollo, Dies (Patch)

General Motors Workers Get $12,000 Profit-Sharing Checks (Patch)

Iranian Baby With Heart Defect Arrives in Portland (Patch)

Patch Picks: Top 5 Chick Flicks Of All Time (Patch)

Border Officers Find Nearly 2 Tons Of Weed Camouflaged As Limes (CNN)

ARMY PAVES THE WAY FOR DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE

The Army Corps of Engineers will allow an easement necessary for construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The route is opposed by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

(Patch)

BETSY DEVOS, SECRETARY OF EDUCATION

The United States has a new secretary of Education today: Betsy DeVos. DeVos' nomination was particularly controversial, and two Republican senators voted against her. In a historic move, the vice president had to cast the deciding vote in the Cabinet nominee's favor.

(Patch)

FOR YOUR VISUAL ENJOYMENT...

ROSIE ON SNL?

After the wild success of Melissa McCarthy's impression of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and reports that the portrayal of the spokesman by a woman "rattled" the administration, expectations are high for the upcoming episode of "Saturday Night Live." Rosie O'Donnell didn't hesitate to accept the suggestion that she should join the show to impersonate none other than Steve Bannon — though there's no confirmation yet of an official offer.

(Patch)

WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC WANT FOR OBAMACARE?

HAPPY PROPOSE DAY!

In India, the week before Valentine's Day is considered "Valentine's Week." Feb. 8 is "Propose Day." According to NDTV, "On this day, large number of youngsters give roses, toys and memorabilia to propose their significant other or prospective significant other." (NDTV)

Photo credit: YouTube Screenshot/CNN