Sen. Cruz: Attaching REINS Act to NAFTA Renegotiation Would Be a Tremendous Step for Our Country
Discusses support for Mike Pompeo, border security, and opportunity for historic regulatory reforms in NAFTA renegotiation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today appeared on Fox News’ ‘Your World’ with guest host Maria Bartiromo, where he discussed his support for Mike Pompeo to be the next Secretary of State, border security, and his priorities for NAFTA renegotiation.
Watch his full interview here.
When asked about his support for Mike Pompeo as the next Secretary of State, Sen. Cruz urged his colleagues to swiftly confirm him, noting that just over a year ago he received bipartisan support in his confirmation as CIA Director.
“To the surprise of nobody we’re seeing a lot of politics in Washington,” Sen. Cruz said. “The vote is expected later this afternoon, and there is a good chance that every Democrat will vote in a party-line vote against Mr. Pompeo. If they do, then that will be unfortunate. Just over a year ago, the Senate confirmed Mike Pompeo to be CIA Director. He got 66 votes - he had 14 Democrats vote to confirm. This is a man who graduate first in class from West Point, who has served this nation, and has been the CIA Director. And as we look at this attack in Toronto, we obviously don’t know the details yet, but it underscores what a dangerous world we are in. We need a strong Secretary of State in place. So I hope the Democrats don’t play politics with national security appointments, but instead vote to confirm Mike Pompeo to this position.”
Sen. Cruz continued, “I think Mike Pompeo will make a very strong Secretary of State. This is a perilous time across the world, we need a strong steady hand as Secretary of State. In particular, we need a Secretary of State who understands the threats posed by the nation of Iran and the dangers of a nuclear Iran. Mike Pompeo is someone I have worked very closely with over the years in dealing with Iran in using American diplomacy, economic sanctions, and the full force of power of the United States to prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon and using that weapon against Americans or against our allies.”
When asked about the President’s call for additional border security in NAFTA renegotiations, Sen. Cruz agreed that more must be done to stop the flow of illegal immigrants coming into America through Mexico.
“There’s no doubt we need to do more on border security,” Sen. Cruz said. “We need to get Mexico’s cooperation in particular helping secure their southern border. So much of illegal immigration in the United Sates is coming from Central America through Mexico into the United States.”
Sen. Cruz continued, highlighting his priorities to pass historic regulatory reforms through NAFTA renegotiation, and his efforts urging the President to expand access to Mexican and Canadian markets.
“NAFTA is critically, critically important to Texas and to the entire country,” Sen. Cruz said. “What I have urged the President throughout NAFTA renegotiation is use this as a vehicle to further expand our access to the Mexican markets, to the Canadian markets, to expand international trade. Don’t use this as a vehicle to erect barriers to our markets and constrict trade. […] The greatest opportunity on NAFTA renegotiation is opening up access to the Mexican energy markets, which will produce thousands of high paying jobs in Mexico and thousands of high paying jobs right here in the U.S.”
Additionally, Sen. Cruz discussed his hopes President Trump will attach the REINS Act to NAFTA renegotiation, which would require congressional approval of any regulation that imposes $100 million or more of cost on the economy before going into effect.
“When it comes to NAFTA, another thing that I’ve urged the President and urged the Administrating to do is use NAFTA renegotiation to enact regulatory reform and, in particular, codify the REINS Act,” Sen. Cruz said. “The REINS Act would provide that any economic regulation that imposes $100 million or more of cost on the economy, can’t go into effect without an affirmative up down vote from Congress. If enacted it’d be the most significant, far-reaching structural reg reform ever passed. And if they attach it to NAFTA, then under Trade Promotion Authority it goes straight to the Senate for an up down vote at 50 votes and the Democrats can’t filibuster it. So it’s good for the economy, it’s good for jobs, and it would be a tremendous step for our country.”
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