Cruz News: February 2, 2019

February 2, 2019

Greetings,  

This week, I joined my Senate colleagues in reintroducing legislation to permanently repeal the death tax. The bill, titled the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019, would finally end this punitive tax that has hit family-run farms, ranches, and businesses as the result of their owners’ death. This tax is one of the most unfair aspects of the federal tax system, and I am proud to ensure working men and women, including America’s farmers, ranchers, and small business owners, are able to flourish without Uncle Sam getting in the way.

On Wednesday, my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and I were pleased to welcomethe new diplomatic representatives appointed by the Venezuelan opposition, including Ambassador Carlos Vecchio. Nicolás Maduro is a ruthless dictator who is desperately clinging to power, and continues to oppress the Venezuelan people. He has led a once-wealthy nation into poverty, starvation, and suffering. Right now, every military leader in Venezuela has a choice to make: cling to a dictator and oppressor as he falls, or stand with the nation, Constitution, and people of Venezuela. America stands with Venezuelans and all people seeking freedom from tyranny around the world. 

In the days and weeks following the tragic anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we have seen state legislatures in New York and Virginia propose radical pro-abortion measures. Governor Northam’s monstrous comments on post-birth abortions this week are not only grotesque, but they represent the modern Democratic Party’s full embrace of radical pro-abortion policies. I have always fought to protect the unborn, and I believe every human life is a precious gift from God. I can promise that as long as I am in the Senate, I will do everything in my power to prevent these loathsome ideas from becoming federal law. These horrific decrees do not and will not ever represent the great state of Texas.

Friday marked the first day of Black History Month. As we celebrate the rich heritage of African-Americans in the United States, it is more important than ever to recognize the common dignity of all people in our diverse nation. Last year, President Trump signed legislation I wrote with Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) to require the review, declassification, and release of government records related to unsolved criminal civil rights cases. The unsolved crimes committed against African-Americans seeking their rightful place in the American Dream casts a dark shadow on an important chapter of American history. It is my hope that, with the enactment of our Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act, we will shine additional sunlight on these cold cases, and bring about justice and closure where it has long been lacking.

Heidi and I join millions of Texans as we lift up in prayer the Houston police officers that were shot in the line of duty this week. These despicable attacks on our men and women in uniform must end and the evil people who commit these crimes must face the full force of the law.

I applaud President Trump for withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia and welcome the acknowledgement of our NATO allies that Russia is in material breach of the treaty. Even the Obama administration acknowledged that Russia was violating the treaty, but they left it in place, which constrained our ability to build the weapons that we need while leaving our rivals, Russia and especially China, without those constraints.

Please read below for an update from this last week.

Ted Cruz

Sen. Cruz issued a statement highlighting the importance of putting an end to human trafficking, which continues in Texas, and across the nation in honor of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Read more...

Sens. Cruz, John Thune (R-S.D.), and dozens of their Senate colleagues reintroduced legislation to permanently repeal the federal estate tax, more commonly known as the death tax. Read more...

Sen. Cruz, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, joined Sens. James Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in meeting with new diplomatic representatives appointed by the Venezuelan opposition. Read more...

Sen. Cruz, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issued a statement in response to President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Read more...

The full press releases may be viewed here.