Cruz News: October 28, 2018

October 28, 2018

Greetings,

This week I addressed members of the National Safety Council at their 2018 NSC Congress and Expo, where I shared my family’s experience with losing my sister to an opioid-related overdose. The scourge of opioid addiction continues to affect countless families across our great nation, and I am proud of Congress’ decision to take action to protect our communities. I was glad to see President Trump sign into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. This was a crucial piece of legislation I supported in Congress, and it will provide federal funding to states to help with their initiatives to combat drug addition, put into place stricter laws to prevent shipments containing fentanyl from entering our country, and allow federal funding for research on new non-addictive treatments for patients.

Texas’ energy community has helped lead the United Sates in emerging on the global stage as the number one crude oil producer, so I was honored to deliver remarks at the Texas Oil and Gas Association’s Lone Star Energy Forum to commend the industry on the role it has played in this success. A robust energy sector provides good-paying jobs to thousands of Texans, and has strengthened our state and our country. 

Charter schools have brought innovation and excellence to communities across the state of Texas. I was glad to have the opportunity to address the Texas Charter Schools Conference on Friday to express my gratitude for the educational services and opportunities Texas charter schools provide to our communities. I also highlighted my Student Opportunity Amendment, which has expanded 529 savings plans to include K-12 elementary and secondary school tuition for public, private, and religious schools, providing more power and choices for parents and grandparents across Texas.

This past summer, Cameron and Hidalgo Counties experienced devastating flooding which displaced many Texans from their homes and businesses. I joined Senator John Cornyn, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Rep. Henry Cuellar, and Rep. Filemon Vela in sending a letter to FEMA’s Administrator Long urging FEMA to reconsider its assessments of the flood and storm damage to Cameron and Hidalgo Counties. It is critical that Administrator Long and FEMA reevaluate the damage assessments for Cameron and Hidalgo Counties to ensure all the Texans in those areas receive the federal aid they need to rebuild their communities.

Our prayers continue to be with those Americans recovering in Central Texas, and from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. These devastating natural disasters are a stark reminder of the importance of taking all steps necessary to prepare our homes and families for any future weather event. 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

Sen. Cruz addressed the Texas Oil & Gas Association’s Lone Star Energy Forum and participated in a Q&A with attendees. There, he discussed his commitment to job creation and economic opportunity for Texans. Read more...

Sen. Cruz sat down with Boris Epshteyn, Chief Political Analyst of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, for a one-on-one interview to discuss his legislation to make individual tax cuts permanent. Read more...

Sens. Cruz and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) penned an op-ed for the Dallas Morning News highlighting their bipartisan Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018. Read more...

Sens. Cruz and John Cornyn (R-Texas) joined Reps. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and Filemon Vela (D-Texas) in penning a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator William ‘Brock’ Long urging for swift reconsideration of FEMA’s assessments of the damage to Cameron and Hidalgo Counties resulting from the severe storms and flooding earlier this year. Read more...

Sen. Cruz issued a statement after President Trump signed into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6). Read more...

Sen. Cruz delivered a video address to the Texas Charter Schools Conference expressing his gratitude for the educational services and opportunities charter schools have brought to Texas. Read more...

The full press releases may be viewed here.