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March 17, 2017
Greetings,
This year, we are poised to have one of the most productive sessions of Congress in decades. The last election was a mandate from the American people for meaningful change. The first task before us is delivering on our promise to repeal Obamacare and replace it patient-centered reforms that drive down cost while increasing competition and choices. Getting there is not going to be easy, but the time to act is now upon us.
Congress' repeal-and-replace effort will soon be judged by three criteria: Does it make health care more affordable? Does it give consumers more choices? Does it provide Americans more control over their families’ health care?
As it stands, the House’s bill neither fully repeals ObamaCare nor passes these three tests. Yet there’s a path forward—if the administration and congressional leaders from across the political spectrum can put aside past differences to find consensus. I'm currently working very closely with my colleagues in both houses of Congress and with the Administration to improve that bill and honor our promise to the American people.
Please read below for an update from this last week.
Keep Texas Strong,
Ted Cruz
Sen. Cruz Leading the Fight on Healthcare Reform
On Thursday, Sen. Cruz and Rep. Mark Meadows, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, penned an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, outlining three criteria for health care reform, as well as a path forward for the House and Senate to fulfill the promises members made to the American people. Sen. Cruz also joined FreedomWorks’ Day of Action rally on Capitol Hill, urging fellow lawmakers to come together and repeal Obamacare.
“I believe we're poised for this to be the most productive congress in decades. The first and the most important is we must honor our promise and repeal Obamacare,” Sen. Cruz said. “The time for talk is over. Now is the time for action. Failure is not an option.”
Video of the Senator’s remarks may be viewed here. Full article may be viewed here.
Senate Passes Cruz-Sponsored Resolution to Disapprove Obama Administration Drug-Testing Rule for Unemployment Insurance
This week, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution sponsored by Sen. Cruz that disapproves and nullifies a drug testing rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor during the final months of the Obama administration. That rule limited states’ congressionally intended discretion in implementing their unemployment compensation and unemployment insurance programs. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution was originally introduced and passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. The resolution will now head to President Trump to be signed into law.
“I commend the Senate for taking up and passing this legislation that I was proud to introduce with my colleague in the House, Chairman Kevin Brady, to reverse yet another instance of executive overreach by the Obama administration,” said Sen. Cruz. “I look forward to President Trump signing this legislation, and I thank Chairman Brady and my colleagues here in the Senate for their support of this measure and for returning discretion to the governments that are closest to the people.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz Joins Senate Colleagues' Call for Investigation of Partisan Interference in State Department
Sen. Cruz and five Senate colleagues wrote a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson requesting an investigation of U.S. funds associated with promoting democracy and governance outside of the U.S. Recent troubling reports indicate that U.S. entities, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have disbursed taxpayer funds to shape the judiciary, civil society, and political landscape of foreign countries to the benefit of left-leaning political groups at the expense of U.S. national interests. Of special concern are reports of funds going from USAID to organizations affiliated with George Soros-backed Open Society Foundations.
“It is deeply disturbing that USAID and other U.S. government agencies may be involved in disbursing taxpayer funds to extreme political groups working to force change in foreign countries in ways that are at odds with U.S. national interests and potentially harmful to U.S. relations with those nations and the stability of their governments,” Sen. Cruz said. “Specifically, Macedonia and Albania are two countries whose political development the U.S. is keen on supporting, and I am especially concerned about USAID funds going to organizations in those countries that are financed by left-wing radical George Soros. The U.S. should not be sending money to organizations that may be working under the guise of promoting legal or political reform, while actually undermining judicial independence, the rule of law, political representation by right-of-center groups, and good relations with the U.S. I hope that Secretary Tillerson will treat this matter with urgency and conduct a comprehensive review to ensure that American taxpayers are not funding a radical agenda overseas.”
The full letter may be viewed here.
Sen. Cruz Speaks at United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit
Texans in Washington D.C.
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