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January 20, 2017
Greetings,
Today we celebrate the start of a new and exciting chapter in our nation’s history. As we observe the inauguration of President Trump, Congress too has been given an historic opportunity to chart a new course – one that puts the interests of the American people first. That includes the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, protecting Americans and our interests both at home and abroad, defending our Constitutional protections, and lowering the tax and regulatory burdens that are making it more difficult for small businesses to create good paying jobs for Americans across the nation.
I look forward to the journey ahead, and to working with President Trump and Vice President Pence to keep the promises we made to the American people and finally bring real change to Washington.
Please read below for an update from this last week.
Ted Cruz
Sen. Cruz at The Texas Public Policy Forum’s Annual Policy Orientation
Last week, Sen. Cruz joined Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Public Policy Forum President & CEO Brooke Rollins Friday for a wide-ranging discussion about Texas and U.S. politics and the Republican majority’s mandate to expand freedom and opportunity in 2017.
“[In] Texas, we understand some basic principles,” said Sen. Cruz during the panel. “Number one: We understand freedom matters. This is a state that was built on freedom. I like to describe Texas as ‘America on steroids.’ You take every value that built America, and Texas focuses those values. We've got a frontier mentality, that Texans, we inherently view [as] give me a horse, and a plain, and a gun, and an open field and I can conquer the world. What Texas has demonstrated powerfully is that when you get government off the backs of small businesses, when when you lift the tax burden, when you lift the regulatory burden -- you keep people safe and other than that, stay the heck out of their hair -- amazing things happen. And my hope and belief is we're going to bring those same values -- the economic model that works -- back to Washington.”
During the panel, Sen. Cruz addressed expanding school choice and opportunity in Texas, repealing Obamacare, and President-elect Donald Trump’s strong, conservative Cabinet nominees.
The full video of Sen. Cruz’s appearance can be viewed here.
Cruz, Cornyn Announce Application Process for Texas Judgeships and U.S. Attorney Positions
Sens. Cruz and John Cornyn today announced that they are accepting applications for judicial and U.S. Attorney vacancies in Texas. The Senators have established a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas to help identify the most qualified candidates to fill these vacancies. This panel, known as the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee, will review applications, interview candidates, and make recommendations to the Senators.
“The FJEC selection process ensures Texans have the best, most qualified federal judges and prosecutors serving them,” Sen. Cruz said. “Texas is blessed with many exceptional candidates with a deep respect for the rule of law, and I encourage them to pursue these important positions.”
Sens. Cruz and Cornyn invite qualified attorneys to seek appointment by submitting their resumes and completed questionnaires to both lawmakers’ offices. The questionnaire is available here.
The full press release can be viewed here.
Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill To Require Administration to Release Terrorist Histories of Individuals Released from Guantanamo
On Tuesday, Sen. Cruz proposed a bill to require the declassification and release to the public of information on past terrorist activities of individuals detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, who have been transferred or released since Election Day, November 8, 2016.
“Even though the American people rightly rejected President Obama’s dangerous plan to completely empty the Guantanamo detention facility, he is still irresponsibly working to release as many terrorists as possible before he leaves office,” said Sen. Cruz. “President Obama’s push to empty GTMO is reckless, and the American people should be made aware of the past terrorist activities committed by the individuals detained there.”
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence publishes a semi-annual report regarding detainee recidivism. The most recent report, in July 2016, indicates that 30 percent of all detainees transferred from GTMO have either reengaged in terrorist activities, or are suspected of doing so.
The full press release can be viewed here.
Sen. Cruz: Together, We Must Continue to Fight for Opportunity for All Americans
Sen. Cruz issued the following statement commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
“On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, inscribed in granite, are the immortal words, ‘I have a dream.’ They mark the spot where, more than 53 years ago, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. called on our nation to keep its founding promise.
“On this day we honor the memory of the man who spoke those words. We honor the cause for which he spoke them. And we reflect on our duty never to yield in our pursuit of truth, or of justice, the calling to which Rev. King dedicated his life.
“America has traveled a long way on the road to racial equality. We have bent the arc of history toward justice. We strive to be judged by the content of our character. But work remains to be done.
“Importantly, as we strive to secure the blessings of liberty for all, we must heed Rev. King’s call for unity. It was Rev. King who forewarned that we are, as Americans, all ‘inextricably bound’ together in our pursuit of freedom. This month, as we begin a new era in our nation under a new administration and a new Congress, we must not forget Rev. King’s maxim about our common destiny.”
The full press release can be viewed here.
Texans in Washington D.C.
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