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December 16, 2016
Greetings,
Last week, we saw the 114th Congress come to a close, and I’m glad to report, it was not without an important success that gives us strong footing for the next Congress to make even further advances that will strengthen jobs and opportunity in Texas. Late last Friday, our bipartisan NASA Transition Act passed the Senate with unanimous consent, which provides NASA with the stability it needs as the agency transitions to a new administration. It also lays an important marker as we continue working to enact this important legislation as soon as possible. I look forward to working with my colleagues again next year to ensure that our nation’s new era of pioneers can innovate and explore with clarity and purpose.
This week, I have been back in Texas, enjoying time with my family and fellow Texans, and anticipating the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. As families navigate this busy season of shopping and preparing for the holidays, Texans across the state are still finding the time to give back to their communities and support those in need of holiday cheer. In recent days, I have had the privilege to see a few of our state’s foremost non-profits and charities in action, working with members of their communities to serve those in need. The work of organizations like the Houston Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, the Fisher House, and the North Texas Food Bank are an embodiment of the Texas spirit of generosity and friendship. We are blessed to have their operations, and so many like them, working in our state and making our communities a better place.
Please keep reading for an update on the latest in the Senate.
Keep Texas Strong,
Ted Cruz
Sen. Cruz: Democrats and Republicans Stood Together to Reassert American Leadership in Space
Last Friday, Sen. Ted Cruz released the following statement praising the Senate passage of the bipartisan National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transition Authorization Act of 2016, which was first introduced in September by Sen. Cruz, along with Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.):
“America has long led the way in exploring the unchartered territory of deep space, which has also fostered extraordinary economic growth and job creation for the State of Texas and the entire nation. And today, Republicans and Democrats stood united to reassert the need for certainty in the U.S. space program moving forward. This broad, bipartisan legislative achievement provides NASA with the stability it needs as the agency transitions to a new administration. It also lays an important marker as we continue working to enact this important legislation as soon as possible. I look forward to working with colleagues in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle again next year to ensure that our nation’s new era of pioneers can continue to innovate and explore with clarity and purpose.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz Serves Texans in Dallas
This week, Sen. Cruz volunteered at VNA Meals on Wheels and the North Texas Food Bank in Dallas, where he delivered hot food to Dallas County residents in need and helped package food for local families. Sen. Cruz also toured the facilities and learned more about the organizations’ operations.
“Organizations like the North Texas Food Bank and VNA Meals on Wheels represent the big hearts we have in Texas and our commitment to make it a better place,” said Sen. Cruz. "Particularly during this holiday season, I encourage Texans to make a difference volunteering in your community, helping someone who may be struggling, and demonstrating the can-do spirit of our state to give others a hand up.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz Serves Texans in Houston
On Tuesday, Sen. Cruz visited Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels and the Fisher House in Houston, where he learned about the organizations’ operations and local needs. He delivered meals to homebound seniors and visited with veterans and their families staying at the Fisher House.
Sen. Cruz volunteered at the Houston Food Bank, where he joined local third graders who were there on a field trip, to help fill backpacks with food for children in need. He also toured the warehouse and met with food bank leaders to discuss their operations.
“There are few better ways for children to get into the holiday spirit than working to make a difference in the lives of fellow Houstonians,” said Sen. Cruz. “This food bank is a tremendous operation, providing roughly 79 million meals a year and working with roughly 600 volunteer groups throughout Southeast Texas distributing the food. Meals on Wheels is one of the many organizations that works with the food bank and helps provide for people in a time of need. Their example is one we should replicate and look to all across our great state.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz Statement on Governor Rick Perry Being Named as President-Elect Trump’s Choice for Secretary of Energy
Sen. Cruz issued the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of former Texas Governor Rick Perry as his nominee for U.S. Secretary of Energy.
“Gov. Perry will make a terrific Secretary of Energy. For 14 years, he led the State of Texas, and with low taxes, restrained spending, and limited regulation, Texas became one of the greatest economic powerhouses in the world. His executive experience across diverse policy areas makes him qualified to run just about any federal agency. Gov. Perry is an exceptional pick to head the Department of Energy, and after presiding over the nation's number one producer of oil and natural gas, and one of the nation's leaders in wind, solar, and nuclear energy, he understands the importance of our country's energy resources not only to our economy, but also to our national security. I am confident that Gov. Perry will be an aggressive champion for opening more lands to exploration and working to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources. I enthusiastically support his nomination as Secretary of Energy.”
Read the full release here.
Sens. Cruz, Cornyn Bipartisan HEAR Act Passes Senate
Last weekend, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, which facilitates the return of artwork stolen by the Nazis during the Holocaust by ensuring that the artwork’s rightful owners or heirs get their day in court. Sens. Cruz and Cornyn, along with Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), introduced the HEAR Act in April.
In June, Sens. Cruz and Cornyn chaired a joint subcommittee hearing on the need for the HEAR Act. Cruz also penned an op-ed in June highlighting the importance of returning Nazi-looted art to the families of Holocaust victims and calling on Congress to pass the HEAR Act.
Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn (R-Texas) applauded the Senate’s passage of the HEAR Act.
“Today, we delivered a long-overdue victory for the families of Holocaust victims,” Sen. Cruz said. “This bipartisan legislation rights a terrible injustice and sends a clear signal that America will continue to root out every noxious vestige of the Nazi regime. I’m proud to have worked closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to empower the victims of the horrific atrocities that took place over 70 years ago and will continue to fight to bring peace and justice to these families.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz: We Must Rein in Washington’s Out-of-Control Spending and Restore the Trust of the American People
Sen. Cruz issued the following statement after voting against passage of the short-term continuing resolution (H.R. 2028) expiring in April 2017:
“I have long called on Congress to include in government funding legislation reforms that would reduce the burden of Washington on the economy and hardworking American taxpayers. Unfortunately, this bill fails to do so. I remain hopeful that, ahead of the April expiration of this new continuing resolution, my Republican and Democratic colleagues will join together with President Trump to rein in our out-of-control spending problem, provide for our troops, repeal Obamacare, and restore the American people’s trust in their government.”
Read the full release here.
Distinguished Texan
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