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October 2, 2015
Greetings,
This week we’ve seen, once again, why the American people are so frustrated with Washington. With the passage of a “dirty” continuing resolution spending bill, the American people are facing a setback in the fight to block funding for Planned Parenthood and the Iran nuclear deal. However, I have made it clear to my colleagues in the Senate that the fight is far from over. The funding bill passed this week will expire December 11, and until that time I am urging every Republican to stand together and do what we told the American people we would do.
The corrupt rein of the Washington Cartel must come to an end, and I stand committed to fighting on behalf of the Lone Star State.
Please keep reading for an update on the latest in the Senate.
Keep Texas strong,
Ted Cruz
Sen. Cruz: The Real Story of What Is Happening in Washington
Sen. Cruz on Monday delivered a speech on the Senate floor highlighting the many examples of Republican leadership surrendering to President Obama’s demands, including funding Planned Parenthood and the catastrophic Iran nuclear deal. Sen. Cruz’s speech followed an attempt to permit a vote on his amendment to end taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood and the Iranian nuclear deal. His colleagues refused to allow him the courtesy of a roll-call vote on his motion, which would have allowed for consideration of his amendment.
“There is a reason the American people are frustrated. The frustration is not simply mild or passing or ephemeral. It is volcanic. Over and over again, the American people go to the ballot box, over and over again, the American people rise up and say the direction we're going doesn't make sense. We want change. Over and over again, the American people win elections. In 2010, a tidal wave election. In 2014, a tidal wave election. And yet, nothing changes in Washington.”
Read and watch the full statement here.
Sen. Cruz Urges Republicans to Stand Together and Fight for the American People
On Wednesday, Sen. Cruz released the following statement upon the Senate’s passage of a short-term continuing resolution maintaining the use of taxpayer dollars to fund Planned Parenthood and the President’s disastrous nuclear deal with Iran:
“Today was a win for the Washington Cartel, and another setback for the American people. Republican leadership chose to abandon its constitutional power of the purse and to fund 100 percent of President Obama’s failed agenda. This was a mistake, and it’s why people are so frustrated with Washington.
“With Speaker Boehner’s resignation, we have a real opportunity for new leadership in Washington -- leadership that actually leads. I encourage leaders in both Houses of Congress to actually honor the commitments we have made to the American people.”
Read the full statement here.
Sen. Cruz: The EPA’s New Ozone Standard Hurts American Families and the Economy
On Thursday, Sen. Cruz released the following statement upon the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of a stricter standard for ozone levels, lowering the acceptable standard from 75 parts per billion to 70 parts per billion:
“The EPA’s new ozone standard is the latest in a multitude of back-breaking regulations the Obama Administration is intent on implementing, despite the great harm these regulations will inflict on American consumers, workers, and companies — all for little effect on our nation’s air quality.
“In Texas, we’re blessed to lead the nation in energy production, but this also means our state faces the greatest damage these job-killing regulations impose. President Obama and his army of regulatory bureaucrats should not further stifle our nation’s economic growth by penalizing one of its only booming sectors…”
Read the full statement here.
Sen. Cruz Leads the Fight Against Iran’s State Sponsorship of Terrorism
This week, Sen. Cruz introduced S. 2094, the IRGC Terrorist Designation Act, urging the U.S. Department of State to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organization. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) also introduced companion legislation in the House, where it has received bipartisan support. The IRGC serves both a military and economic stronghold for the Iranian regime, and is their primary means to execute terrorist attacks.
“For more than three decades, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been a leading proponent of radical Islamic terrorism around the globe,” Sen. Cruz said. “Under the direction of the Ayatollah Khamenei, branches of the IRGC have murdered hundreds of Americans. They have attacked our allies, notably Israel. They have provided material support for other designated terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Yet for years the United States has sanctioned IRGC entities while leaving the organization itself untouched. This long-overdue designation simply recognizes reality and directs our government to remove this artificial distinction and hold the entire IRGC accountable.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz Leads Bicameral Letter Asking GAO to Determine Whether Obama Administration Has Power to Give Away the Internet
On Monday, Sen. Cruz, along with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an affirmative determination of whether the Obama Administration’s plan to transfer U.S. oversight of the Internet violates the Constitution.
Sen. Cruz said: “Under Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution, Congress has the exclusive power ‘to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States.’ If the contract governing U.S. oversight of the Internet is indeed government property, the Administration’s intention to cede control to the ‘global stakeholder community’ -- including nations like Iran, Russia and China that do not value free speech and in fact seek to stifle it -- is in violation of the Constitution and should be stopped.”
Read the full release and letter here.
Sen. Cruz: America Should Not Be Complicit in Human Rights Violations
Sen. Cruz on Wednesday sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter seeking information on the appalling sexual abuse of children reportedly occurring in Afghanistan and requesting the Department of Defense’s (DoD) plan to eradicate this despicable violation of human rights. Sen. Cruz’s letter follows recent reports of potentially widespread sexual abuse of young boys in Afghanistan, a practice known as “Bacha Bazi.”
“Our Service Members must observe a demonstrable effort by the Afghan government to eradicate this abuse, or they will continue to perceive a lack of action and feel obligated to intervene personally to prevent the deplorable sexual abuse of children. So long as Americans are expected to fight for the security of the Afghan government, the United States has every right to demand that such action be taken, and if the Afghan government proves unwilling to take the necessary action, then the United States should do so itself or be willing to withdraw our Service Members from this appalling situation,” Sen. Cruz wrote. “The United States of America cannot sit on the sidelines in Afghanistan and allow the deplorable practice of ‘Bacha Bazi’ to continue. To do so would make America complicit in human rights violations of the worst sort and would dishonor the incredible sacrifice our men and women in arms have made on behalf of the Afghan people.”
Read the full release and letter here.
A Regional Update from North Texas Deputy Regional Director Michael Flusche
This week, North Texas Deputy Regional Director Michael Flusche connected with conservatives throughout Texas that were willing to stand with Sen. Cruz in his effort to defund Planned Parenthood, including Elizabeth Graham, Director of Texas Right to Life. Michael also traveled across North Texas speaking with various groups about Sen. Cruz’s pro-life position and explaining the legislative process.
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