Good Morning, 

Last year, I began the fight for justice for 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, a beautiful young girl who was brutally murdered in Houston, Texas, by two illegal aliens who crossed our southern border. These individuals should have been detained by ICE, but Democrats’ reckless open-border policies prevented ICE and Border Patrol agents from acting. Instead, thousands of detention center beds sat empty, allowing these criminals to go free and ultimately commit this heinous act.

This week, I reintroduced the Justice for Jocelyn Act which would enhance the detention and tracking of illegal aliens entering the country. Congress must act with urgency to ensure no other family endures the unimaginable pain that Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, has faced. Standing alongside Alexis in this fight for justice has been an immense privilege, and I will not stop fighting until our communities are safe and justice is served.

READ: Cruz Releases Ad Promoting Justice For Jocelyn Act

This week, I also reintroduced my No Tax on Tips Act to deliver on President Trump's agenda. I firmly believe that the Republicans should fight for the working men and women of America. We are the party of truck drivers, waiters, construction workers, and everyday Americans who work hard. This bill ensures that the tips earned through honest labor stay where they belong—in the pockets of the people who earned them.

READ: Sen. Cruz reintroduces bill to exempt tips from federal income taxes

“[The No Tax on Tips Act], provides the tipped workers [the ability to] deduct those tips from their income tax, so tips are tax free. President Trump announced this idea in Las Vegas, and when he did, I thought it was a fantastic idea. I immediately began drafting the legislation to make it a reality. My bill is bipartisan legislation. Two Democrats have joined my bill in the Senate, Jackie Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, both Democrats from Nevada. … We are fighting for the working men and women of America [ and] this is a tax policy directed to people who are hurting and who need relief.”

Jobs and the economy are top of mind in my new role as Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. The Commerce Committee holds jurisdiction over forty percent of the U.S. economy, offering an extraordinary opportunity to unleash the full potential of American ingenuity and business. Few positions in Washington hold greater potential to spur economic growth.

READ: As Commerce Chairman, Ted Cruz Plans to Make Sure Big Tech’s Change of Heart Is for Real

“This will be an energetic committee. This will be an active committee. We will have hearings, we will have markups, we will move legislation. We'll have disagreements, and at times, even vigorous disagreements, but at the same time, the Commerce Committee has a great tradition of working and being effective and productive, and we are going to continue that for the next two years.”

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I questioned President Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi. Over the past four years, we’ve witnessed Merrick Garland politicize and weaponize the Department of Justice, turning it into a tool for partisan agendas. It’s time for a change.

Pam Bondi is exceptionally qualified to serve as Attorney General, and I believe she will be confirmed. It’s time to restore integrity and accountability to the DOJ. Pam Bondi is the right person for the job.

“I believe Pam Bondi is going to come in and restore integrity to the Department of Justice. … I don't want to see a Republican Department of Justice or a Democrat Department of Justice. I want a Department of Justice that follows the damn law regardless of party, and I believe that's exactly what Pam Bondi is going to do.”

In addition to weaponizing the DOJ, the Biden administration's actions at the State Department have been nothing short of shameful, especially in its approach to the war in Israel. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I fully support Marco Rubio’s nomination to be Secretary of State and look forward to his confirmation immediately after President Trump is inaugurated on Monday. Together, we will restore America’s unwavering commitment to Israel and its security.

“In the last four years, [the Biden] administration has been the most anti-Israel administration we have ever seen. They have systematically undermined the government of Israel, particularly at a time of war. The Biden State Department secretly asked other parts of the administration to suspend anti-terrorism sanctions so they could pour unaccountable hundreds of millions of dollars into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. … Even after October 7, they secretly poured millions and even cash from American taxpayers into Hamas-controlled areas. … I have every confidence that President Trump and you will reverse these policies broadly and specifically.”

Rest assured, I intend to work closely with President Trump to turn our country around and keep Texas on top. God Bless!

Keep Texas Strong,

MORE FROM SEN. CRUZ:

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READ: EXCLUSIVE: Ted Cruz Wants To Raise The Stakes For Would-Be Cop Killers
ICYMI: Cruz: Lifting Cuba terror sponsor designation ‘unacceptable’

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