Cruz News: August 4, 2018

August 4, 2018

Greetings,

On Wednesday, I voted to pass the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019. I am proud to have secured over 30 provisions that will ensure the continued success of Texas’ military communities and address the United States’ national security interests. In the challenging and threatening environment that we live in today, it is imperative that we have a strong, well-funded military to effectively achieve peace. Though no reward can truly match the sacrifices made by our troops, this bill includes a well-deserved increase to our troops’ take-home pay. With unified Republican leadership, the Senate has once again been able to fulfill our first responsibility, which is equipping our servicemen and women and ensuring the defense of this nation.

Last year, Congress passed historic tax cuts which are expanding opportunity and allowing hardworking men and women to rightfully keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. As a result, millions of Americans have seen well-deserved, significant tax relief. However, charities, churches, and other tax-exempt organizations have been required to pay federal taxes on employee fringe benefits. On Wednesday, I introduced the Protect Charities and Houses of Worship Act, which would repeal a mandate requiring traditionally tax-exempt organizations like churches and charities to pay these taxes to the federal government and instead allow them to fulfill their intended purpose of helping people and the community. 

This week, as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, I chaired the second in a series of hearings that will lead toward the introduction of new legislation. This legislative effort will look to provide continued support for core programs at NASA, the Johnson Space Center, and our growing space sector in Texas. The hearing focused on the search for life beyond Earth, and ensures that we equip NASA with the capabilities that it needs to support science missions and priorities that will lead to discoveries across our solar system. America’s leadership in space continues to receive broad, bipartisan support in Congress. I am grateful that this week my colleagues in the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed the Cruz-Nelson-Markey Space Frontier Act, which supports the continued development of a robust commercial space sector, among other items. On Friday, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and I visited Houston’s Johnson Space Center for NASA’s announcement naming the astronauts assigned to crew the first test flights and maiden voyages of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon. Texas continues to lead the way for America’s manned exploration of space and this announcement marks a new era of discovery.

As we continue to rebuild from the unprecedented devastation from Hurricane Harvey, we must also take all steps necessary to prepare for the hurricane season ahead. For those seeking 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. For those seeking preparedness information and resources, please refer to the federal and state resources listed here.

Please read below for an update from this last week.

Keep Texas Strong,

Ted Cruz

At the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet hearing, Sen. Cruz questioned expert witnesses focusing on international internet policies impacting the competitiveness, investment, and innovation opportunities of American businesses in the global digital economy. Read more...

Sen. Cruz, member of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, participated in a hearing with government witnesses from the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security to receive updates on the administration’s immigration enforcement challenges and immigrant family reunification efforts at the southern border. Read more...

Sens. Cruz, John Cornyn (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) released statements after their legislation to rename the federal building and courthouse in Amarillo the “J. Marvin Jones Federal Building and Mary Lou Robinson United States Courthouse” passed the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Read more...

Sen. Cruz, member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, participated in a Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts hearing entitled, "Oversight of the Structure of the Federal Courts." Read more...

Sens. Cruz, Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), and Ed Markey’s (D-Mass.) Space Frontier Act (S.3277) passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation by voice vote with strong bipartisan support. Read more...

Sen. Cruz delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging his colleagues to adopt his amendment to the minibus appropriations bill, which would protect the right of individuals to make their own healthcare choices, and stop federal funds from being used to reimplement Obamacare’s individual health insurance mandate in the District of Columbia. Read more...

Sen. Cruz voted to pass the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, which includes numerous military necessities, including over $150 million in military construction funds for the state of Texas. Read more...

Sen. Cruz introduced the Protect Charities and Houses of Worship Act (S.3317), to repeal a mandate requiring charities, churches, and traditionally tax-exempt organizations to pay federal taxes on employee fringe benefits. Read more...

Sen. Cruz, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, chaired a hearing entitled “The Search for Life: Utilizing Science to Explore our Solar System and Make New Discoveries.” Read more...

The full press releases may be viewed here.