Cruz News: April 29, 2018

April 29, 2018

Greetings,

This week, I discussed my priorities for NAFTA modernization with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo and a number of Texans both in my D.C. office and in West Texas. I met with members of the Texas Association of Businesses, The Plains Cotton Cooperative, and the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in my Washington, D.C. office, before traveling to Andrews and Seminole, Texas. Texans across the state are watching NAFTA renegotiations closely, an agreement that has not been updated in more than 20 years, and I believe its modernization could be a very good thing for the Lone Star State and the country. More than 380,000 Texas jobs hinge on free trade with Mexico, and I have urged the President to use this opportunity to further expand our access to both the Mexican and Canadian markets, and expand international trade. The greatest opportunity with these talks is the potential to open up access to the Mexican energy markets, which will produce thousands of high paying jobs right here in Texas. I also believe the President has the opportunity to add to NAFTA regulatory reforms like the REINS Act, a landmark bill that would require Congressional approval before any economic regulation costing more than $100 million goes into effect. Attaching reforms like the REINS Act to NAFTA would be the most significant, far-reaching structural regulatory reform ever passed, and a tremendous step for our country.

I also had the pleasure of meeting with Michael Young, President of Texas A&M, where we discussed the challenges facing the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, which has been operating for more than a decade without a sufficient training ship. This has limited the number of cadets who can receive training and serve the growing needs of the Gulf region. However, I'm glad that this week a provision I proposed was included in the Maritime Authorization and Enhancement Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which requires vessel sharing among state maritime academies, and will ensure all cadets are able to receive proper training at sea so they are qualified to support U.S. waterborne commerce and our national security.

On Thursday, I participated in a press conference with Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) and workers from Monroe Energy, Philadelphia Energy Solutions, and PBF Energy to discuss our efforts to reach a win-win solution for both corn farmers and refinery workers, who face skyrocketing RINs prices under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). There are tens of thousands of blue collar, union jobs on the East Coast, across the country, and in Texas that are currently threatened by a broken regulatory system. But by capping the regulatory costs on RINs, these men and women can keep their jobs - jobs that have provided for their families, sent their kids to college, paid their home mortgage, and put food on the table. I’m proud to stand with the working men and women of this country, and I believe the President is going to stop a broken regulatory system from taking their jobs.

This week, as the world celebrated the royal birth, we also watched a tragic situation unfold in England. Baby Alfie Evans, whose illness and captivity in the UK drew the prayers and sympathy of millions across the civilized world, passed away on Saturday. Though Alfie faced long odds, he defied expectations again and again, surviving for five days after being taken off of life support, and being deprived of food for over a day. Despite public outcry, intervention by Pope Francis, and offers of asylum and treatment in other nations, the NHS and UK courts refused to release Alfie to the custody of his parents. Alfie’s crisis is becoming an all-too predictable consequence of socialized medicine, and the low regard for human life displayed by the bureaucrats who administer it. Heidi and I, along with people across America, and the globe, continue to lift up Alfie’s family in prayer during this difficult time.

My Senate office continues to work to ensure swift and effective service to Texans and Texas communities in need of federal assistance following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. If you need additional information or assistance during the recovery and rebuilding process, please do not hesitate to contact my office or use the federal and state resources listed here.

Please read below for an update from this last week.

Keep Texas Strong,

Ted Cruz

Sen. Cruz 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. Read more...

Sens. Cruz and John Cornyn (R-Texas) released the following statements after introducing legislation today to rename the Laredo Federal Building and United States Courthouse the “George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse.” Read more...

Sen. Cruz issued a statement urging the UK government to grant the request of the family of Alfie Evans to pursue medical treatment in Italy. Read more...

Sen. Cruz, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, participated in a Committee markup where he discussed the challenges facing the Texas A&M Maritime Academy which has been operating for more than a decade without a sufficient training ship. Read more...

Sen. Cruz delivered remarks at the Texas Association of Businesses National Affairs, before participating in a Q&A with attendees. Read more...

Sen. Cruz appeared on WOAI’s ‘The Joe Pags Show,’ where he discussed his concern for the well-being of Alfie Evans who is being denied medical treatment by the courts of the United Kingdom. Read more...

Sen. Cruz and Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) participated in a press conference with workers from Monroe Energy, Philadelphia Energy Solutions, and PBF Energy to discuss their efforts to find a win-win solution for both corn farmers and refinery workers, who face skyrocketing RINs prices under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). Read more...

Sen. Cruz, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, participated in a hearing Thursday with the Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, on the national security challenges facing the United States. Read more...

The full press releases may be viewed here.