A TWO-STEP PLAN to avoid a government shutdown has bene proposed (Shutterstock).

Republicans in the House of Representatives are proposing a two-step process to avoid a government shutdown while still seeking to preserve their priorities .

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is advocating that government spending for some purposes be extended until Jan. 19 and funding for others until Feb. 12.

“This two-step continuing resolution is a necessary bill to place House Republicans in the best positions to fight for all programs,” said Johnson.

Excluded – for the time being – is increased funding for Israel, Ukraine and security on the border with Mexico.

The White House termed the plan “a recipe for more Republican chaos and more shutdowns.”

Pope Francis fires critical bishop

POPE FRANCIS (Wikipedia).

Bishop Joseph Strickland has been “relieved” of his post in Tyler, Texas by Pope Francis, firing a conservative who has been openly critical of the pontiff..

Strickland has criticized Pope Francis’ willingness to welcome LGBTQ+  Catholics into the church.  He also objected to the pope’s ban on the celebration of the Old Latin Mass.

The firing of Strickland came after an investigation into Strickland that prompted a request from the Vatican that he resign. He refused and the pope ordered him removed from office.

Sports: Trojans, Bruins in Pac-12 games

UCLA’s (6-4) team lost 17-7 to Arizona State (3-7).

USC (7-3) lost 36-27 to Oregon (9-1).

Weather: A warm, sunny Sunday

The Westy Orange County area will be getting some rain this week, but Sunday should be mostly sunny with a daytime high of 84 and an overnight low of 50. Monday should be cooler with a high of 75 and a low of 50. There will be clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon. Tuesday is expected to be warmer at 78 (54) with partly cloudy skies.