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November 20, 2015
Greetings,
This week, I’ve led a continuous effort to take steps to protect the American people from the threat of terrorist infiltration.
In the wake of ISIS’s murderous rampage in Paris last Friday, this proves to be a pivotal time for the safety and security of American citizens and our homeland. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has clearly lacked focus on national security interests. I firmly believe we must do everything we can to prevent even a very few jihadis from slipping into our nation.
The threat of radical Islamic terrorism is clear and present, and I intend to do everything in my power to keep the state of Texas and our country safe.
Please keep reading for an update on the latest in the Senate.
Keep Texas strong,
Ted Cruz
Sen. Cruz Introduces the Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act
On Wednesday, Sen. Cruz introduced the Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015, which will immediately bar refugees to the United States from any country, such as Iraq or Syria, that contains territory substantially controlled by a foreign terrorist organization. The bill sunsets after three years so that Congress can reevaluate the global situation and either let the bill expire or reauthorize it with necessary modifications in light of changed circumstances.
Upon introduction of the bill, Sen. Cruz stated, “After watching the horrific scenes play out in Paris, we have to take basic steps to protect ourselves from the growing threat of radical Islamic terrorism. This legislation will do just that.”
Read the full release and get more information on Sen. Cruz’s bill here.
Democrats Block Sen. Cruz’s Efforts to Protect Americans from Terrorism
Sen. Cruz on Thursday requested unanimous consent on his Expatriate Terrorist Act (S. 247) and Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act (S. 2302), both of which would protect the safety and security of the American people. Sen. Cruz’s Expatriate Terrorist Act would adjust existing law to provide that Americans who join forces with terrorists overseas renounce their U.S. citizenship. Additionally, his Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act would immediately bar refugees to the United States from any country, including Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen, that contains territory substantially controlled by a foreign terrorist organization, while including exceptions for groups that are victims of genocide.
“ISIS has been plain. They intend to murder as many Americans as possible. They intend to carry out terror attacks like happened in Paris – they intend to carry them out here. This common-sense legislation would have helped protect this nation, but I’m sorry to say the Democratic Party is objecting to it. I believe we should put America first, protecting America first,” Sen. Cruz said.
Read the full release and watch video of Sen. Cruz’s speech here.
Sen. Cruz Op-Ed in The Washington Times: “Why the Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015 Is Necessary”
On Thursday, Sen. Cruz penned an op-ed for The Washington Times, emphasizing the need for his Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevent Act of 2015 (S. 2302). This bill would protect American citizens by immediately barring refugees to the United States from countries that contain territory controlled by a foreign terrorist organization.
“Given the existential nature and scope of the threat posed by radical Islamic terrorism, the limitations on our ability to screen the flood of refugees, and the obligations of our government to provide for the safety and security of all Americans, we simply cannot accept refugees from countries that have a significant terrorist presence until the terrorist threat has been eliminated,” Sen. Cruz wrote.
Read the full release on Sen. Cruz’s op-ed here.
Sen. Cruz Op-Ed in Houston Chronicle: We Must Continue America’s Leadership in Space
On Wednesday, Sen. Cruz penned an op-ed for the Houston Chronicle outlining the importance of the private space industry and touting the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015, a bill championed by Sen. Cruz that passed Congress last week.
“Today, the Commercial Space Launch Act continues to have a profound impact in reshaping the future of human space exploration. In the near future, American astronauts and cargo will reach the International Space Station on commercial vehicles,” Sen. Cruz wrote. “Commercial space exploration presents important new opportunities for us all. Our nation must continue to provide a framework in which the American people can innovate and create private commercial, scientific and cultural enterprises that can extend our reach throughout the cosmos.”
Read the full op-ed here.
Sens. Cruz: Congress Carries Reagan’s Torch Forward with New U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act
On Monday, Sen. Cruz issued a statement after the House passed the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (H.R. 2262), a measure unanimously passed by the Senate last week and heavily championed by Sen. Cruz.
“This week, the United States Congress carried President Reagan’s torch forward by passing this legislation. Commercial space exploration presents important new opportunities for us all. Our nation must continue to provide a framework in which the American people can innovate and create private commercial, scientific, and cultural enterprises that can extend our reach throughout the cosmos…I strongly urge President Obama to act swiftly in signing this measure into law so that the state of Texas and our entire nation can confidently continue reshaping the future of human space exploration.”
Read the full release and text of the bill here.
Sen. Cruz: Every One of Us Should Stand with Law Enforcement
On Tuesday, Sen. Cruz chaired a hearing of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts titled “The War on Police: How the Federal Government Undermines State and Local Law Enforcement.” This hearing, consisting of two panels, highlighted the challenges facing police officers and how the federal government can impact law enforcement nationwide.
“I believe every one of us, Republican and Democrat, should stand unequivocally with the brave men and women of law enforcement. I do not believe it is beneficial for this country to have a culture where the men and women of law enforcement feel under siege,” Sen. Cruz said.
Watch the video and read the full release, including Sen. Cruz’s opening and closing statements, here.
Cruz, Sessions Rebuke Administration for Concealing Immigration History of Terrorists
Sen. Cruz and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) on Tuesday issued a statement three months after their letter to the Obama Administration on immigration and terrorism.
“On August 12, we sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, and Secretary of State John Kerry, asking for specific information regarding the nexus between terrorism and our immigration system to be provided to us no later than September 4. Specifically, the letter identified at least 72 individuals in the United States who have been identified as having a connection to terrorism over the last one-year period,” the Senators wrote.
“More than three months later the Administration has not provided immigration details on a single one of the 72. It is quite telling that this Administration – which seems to have unlimited resources to circumvent our immigration laws and further its executive amnesties – cannot find the time or resources to provide timely answers to these simple questions…”
Read the full release and text of the Cruz/Sessions letter here.
A Regional Update from South Texas Regional Director Casandra Garcia
South Texas Regional Director Casandra Garcia recently planned a Rio Grande Valley (RGV) trip for State Outreach Director Jason Wright and State Photographer Bobby Rodriguez. This was a great opportunity for Wright to receive an operational briefing with RGV Border Patrol Sector leadership, tour both the McAllen and RGV Centralized Processing Center, and discuss continued efforts to secure the border by working with local and federal officials.
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