|
May 27, 2016
Greetings,
Every May, we gather to pay tribute to our nation’s fallen heroes, the ardent patriots who gave their last full measure for our liberty.
It is humbling when we pause and reflect on the self-sacrifice of every man and woman who has been laid to rest under the stars and stripes of our nation’s flag. We gather to remember lost sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, and all of our departed loved ones. We also honor the unnamed headstones that scatter military cemeteries across the country - for although those courageous servicemen and women are gone, they too must never be forgotten.
May we never forget the lives of each fallen warrior; may we say their names today and every day, for it is their blood that has kept us free. It is their sacrifice that calls each of us to cherish the gift of liberty, and we must never take it for granted. God bless our nation’s protectors, and God bless the United States of America.
Keep Texas Strong,
Ted Cruz
Sen. Cruz: Obama's Transgender Directive Has No Basis in Federal Law
On Wednesday, Sen. Cruz released the following statement, praising Texas’ decision to challenge the Obama administration’s unlawful transgender bathroom agenda for public schools:
“I applaud the State of Texas for taking a strong stand on this issue,” Sen. Cruz said. “Through executive fiat, President Obama has threatened to cut off millions of dollars in federal aid to states that don’t allow men and boys into girls’ private restrooms and showers. This has no basis in federal law, and it once again demonstrates that Obama is more devoted to radical social engineering than to the democratic process and the separation of powers. Moreover, Obama’s decree flies in the face of common sense. In my years in law enforcement, I’ve handled far too many cases of child molesters, pedophiles, and people who abused little kids. The threats of predators are serious, and we should not facilitate allowing grown men or boys to be in bathrooms with little girls. I firmly stand by Texas—and other states, such as North Carolina—that have stood up to this politically correct nonsense, and I hope that the courts can be trusted to enforce federal law, rather than Obama’s partisan preferences.”
Read Sen. Cruz’s release in its entirety here.
Sen. Cruz Calls for VA Secretary Robert McDonald’s Resignation
Sen. Cruz on Wednesday issued the following statement, calling on Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert McDonald to resign following his recent deplorable remarks regarding wait times for our nation’s veterans:
“Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald’s recent remarks show a fundamental lack of respect for the veterans he’s been tasked to serve,” Sen. Cruz said.
“Our nation’s veterans fought, bled, and sacrificed for the freedom of each and every American, and they deserve nothing but the best care -- delivered in a timely fashion -- once they return home. For Secretary McDonald to compare the long wait periods, during which far too many of our nation’s finest passed away, to the lines at Disney is simply unacceptable.
“At this point, there can be no doubt there is a deep corruption within the VA, and we should not rest until it is rooted out, and our heroes receive the care that they earned. Secretary McDonald’s recent comments make clear that he is not the man to ensure that happens, and as a result, he should resign.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz, Others Demand DOJ Cease Investigation Into Opponents of President Obama’s Energy Policies
On Thursday, Sen. Cruz, along with Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), and David Vitter (R-La.), sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, demanding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) end its use of law enforcement resources against political opponents of President Obama’s energy agenda.
“These actions provide disturbing confirmation that government officials at all levels are threatening to wield the sword of law enforcement to silence debate on climate change,” the letter reads. “As you well know, initiating criminal prosecution for a private entity’s opinions on climate change is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and an abuse of power that rises to the level of prosecutorial misconduct.”
The letter goes on to demand that Attorney General Lynch confirm that all investigations into any private individual’s views on climate change end within 14 days and promise not to initiate any future such investigations.
“Freedom of thought and inquiry is at the very heart of liberty,” Sen. Cruz said. “Sadly, the Obama administration and its allies in state attorney general offices across the country are threatening to use the power of government to intimidate and ultimately silence companies and researchers who do not agree with the government’s opinions about the allegedly harmful effects of climate change and what should be done about it. This is an abuse of power and a direct assault on the First Amendment. The Obama Justice Department should immediately cease any further consideration of such action and should instead do everything in its power to protect the freedom of thought of all Americans.”
Read the full release, including the text of the letter in its entirety, here.
A Regional Update from South Texas Regional Director Casandra Garcia
Last week, South Texas Regional Director Casandra Garcia provided a legislative update at the Middle Rio Grande Development Council Regional Economic Summit in Eagle Pass, Texas. Elected officials, business and economic developers, and educators attended and listened to economic development discussions from some of the most respected individuals in their fields representing universities, banking institutions, and workforce development, among others. Leaders from the Office of the Governor Greg Abbott, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Texas Department of Agriculture, and Texas Department of Transportation-Aviation also provided an update. The summit provided an opportunity to learn about upcoming 2017 legislative issues from state legislators.
Texas Civic Leaders Visit Sen. Cruz’s D.C. Office
This week, civic leaders from the Irving Chamber of Commerce and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership visited Sen. Cruz’s office in Washington, D.C.
|
