Cruz News: October 7, 2018

October 7, 2018

Greetings,

On Saturday, I proudly voted with a bipartisan majority of my Senate colleagues to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. He has proven to be a qualified nominee throughout his time on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and has a strong record of defending the Second Amendment, safeguarding the separation of powers, reining in the unchecked power of federal agencies, and preserving our precious religious liberties. Despite Senate Democrats’ efforts to delay and derail his nomination, we successfully delivered on our promise to the American people to confirm strong constitutionalists to the Supreme Court.

As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, I convened a hearing on Tuesday examining the threats to religious liberty within the United States and by oppressive regimes worldwide. Our nation has a rich tradition of religious liberty. But across the globe, people suffer under tyranny. Their stories are heartbreaking and must be told. The persecution of communities of faith precedes the erosion of all freedoms, and Americans must remain vigilant to ensure religious liberty is protected here at home. Watch the powerful hearing here.

I was also pleased the Senate took a stand for all Americans this week and passed a bill I voted for in September to address the ever-growing opioid crisis within our country. Too many families across our country, including my own, have been hurt by our country’s opioid epidemic. Millions of lives have been lost to the opioid crisis. The bill provides support for state efforts to combat drug addiction and funding for research on new non-addictive treatments. Further, this bill enforces stricter laws requiring the U.S. Postal Service to restrict shipments containing fentanyl from entering our country. I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law.

This week, I was pleased the Senate passed the FAA reauthorization bill, which included my bipartisan Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act. Two years ago, tragedy struck Lockhart, Texas when a hot air balloon crashed. Since then, I have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure commercial hot air balloon operators receive medical certificates to enhance safety precautions.

Countless hardworking teachers, first responders, law enforcement officials, and other public servants devote their time and talent to our classrooms and communities. But unfortunately, the current Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) has not always served our public servants fairly. That’s why I recently introduced the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act with Reps. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.), to replace the current WEP with a fairer formula based on their work history and to ensure our public servants receive the Social Security benefits they deserve for their service to our communities.

The entire State of Texas continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans in North and South Carolina who are recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Florence. As the Lone Star State continues to rebuild from Hurricane Harvey and the south Texas flooding, we must also take 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 issued a statement on Friday's cloture vote on the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to be the next associate justice of the Supreme Court. Read more...

Sen. Cruz, member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation participated in a hearing last week focused on how leading technology companies handle American consumers’ privacy and security. Read more...

Sen. Cruz congratulated Jim Allison, Ph.D., chair of Immunology and executive director of the Immunotherapy Platform at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, for receiving the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Read more...

The Washington Free Beacon highlighted Sen. Cruz’s School Security Enhancement Act, which would permit Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grants to be utilized by local communities for measures that reinforce school safety infrastructure and technology. Read more...

Sen. Cruz last week introduced the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2018 (S. 3526), which would ensure that teachers, first responders, law enforcement officers, and other public servants receive Social Security benefits calculated from their work history. Read more...

Sen. Cruz chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness, issued a statement commemorating the 60th anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Read more...

Sen. Cruz issued a statement applauding the House of Representatives for passing a bill to make the individual tax cuts permanent, and urging his Senate colleagues to do the same. Read more...

Sens. Cruz and John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) Red River Gradient Boundary Survey Act was reported by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources this week. Read more...

Sen. Cruz issued a statement following the vote in favor of the FAA reauthorization bill. Read more...

Sen. Cruz, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, on Tuesday chaired a hearing titled: “Threats to Religious Liberty Around the World.” Read more...

Sen. Cruz issued a statement applauding the Senate’s passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6). Read more...

Sen. Cruz commended Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for holding a subcommittee hearing on Wednesday titled “Rare Diseases: Expediting Treatments for Patients,” and called on Congress to swiftly pass the RESULT Act. Read more...

The full press releases may be viewed here.