ICYMI: Sen. Cruz: Confirming Judge Gorsuch is a Real Victory for the American People

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Tuesday appeared on Fox News’ 'Hannity' to discuss the Senate's efforts to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and the senator's fight to deliver on the promise Congress made to the American people to repeal and replace Obamacare. Sean Hannity also noted that in the last two weeks, President Trump has signed two bills authored by Sen. Cruz.

“Judge Neil Gorsuch will be confirmed at the next associate justice of the Supreme Court,” Sen. Cruz said. “That really is a victory for the American people. This last election as you know was in many ways a referendum on what sort of justice would replace Justice Antonin Scalia. Hillary promised a liberal activist and Trump promised a constitutionalist.”

When asked about health care reform, Sen. Cruz reiterated his efforts to get the job done.

“When it comes to repealing Obamacare, failure is not an option,” Sen. Cruz said. “Six years, Republicans have been promising the American people, if you elect us we will get this done. We have got to get the job done. It took Obama 14 months to pass Obamacare. The house bill, was on the floor just 18 days. 18 days was not long enough. We can get this done in a way that actually fixes the problem. If you look at the members on both sides within the party, virtually every moment night and day meeting with house members, meeting with the administration trying to get people to yes. People want to get to yes. Conservatives, moderates, we can get this done. The central test for success is going to be whether we drive down the cost of premiums. We have to make health insurance more affordable so people can the families. If we do that, we will have succeeded. If we don't, we will have failed.”

Sen. Cruz’s appearance may be viewed here. The transcript in its entirety is posted below.

Sean Hannity: This [Democrats'] obstruction comes on the heels of a performance where Democrats tried and failed to smear President Trumps pick. The last option of obstruction that is available, the filibuster. Only four Democrats are promising to oppose the filibuster and that means that such a filibuster is highly possible and Republicans will be left with one option. To invoke the nuclear option or the constitutional option and extend Harry Reid's 50 vote threshold for the first time ever to a Supreme Court nominee. Joining us now, Ted Cruz. Senator, the real precedent -- the real lack of precedents here. It’s never happened before in over 200 years. A partisan Democratic party that will not allow an up or down vote because they know they will lose. So, what do you think happens?

Sen. Ted Cruz: Sean, you are exactly right. You played some of those early clips of Democrats talking about the need to have an up or down vote on Supreme Court justices. They were very persuasive. I think they are right. We are going to have an up or down vote on Judge Gorsuch and this week Judge Gorsuch will be confirmed at the next associate justice of the Supreme Court. That really is a victory for the American people. This last election as you know was in many ways a referendum on what sort of justice would replace Justice Antonin Scalia. Hillary Clinton promised a liberal activist and Donald Trump promised a principled constitutionalist like Judge Neil Gorsuch. This week we’re going to see that promised delivered upon as Judge Gorsuch gets confirmed.

Sean Hannity: It is funny how Schumer tries to shift the blame to the Republicans when he is doing something that has never happened. And that is he is filibustering an up or down vote. It's really him that is doing it. Let me move on. I know you have been very active and very supportive coming up with creative solutions and meeting with a lot of people as it relates to health care. From my perspective, getting it right is far more important than any artificial timetable. What do you see happening in the process right now? 

Sen. Ted Cruz: You are exactly right. When it comes to repealing Obamacare, in my view failure is not an option. For six years, Republicans have been promising the American people, if you elect us we will get this done. We have got to get the job done. It took Obama 14 months to pass Obamacare. The House bill, was on the floor just 18 days. 18 days was not long enough. We can get this done in a way that actually fixes the problem. If you look at members on both sides within the party, I’m spending virtually every moment night and day meeting with House members, meeting with Senators, meeting with the administration trying to get people to yes. And people want to get to yes. Conservatives want to get to yes, moderates want to get to yes, and we can get this done. The central test for success is going to be whether we drive down the cost of premiums. We need to make health insurance more affordable so people can afford to get care for the families. If we do that, we will have succeeded. If we don't, we will have failed.

Sean Hannity: Is about two simple things. Nobody cares about the Byrd rule, cloture, and reconciliation. What they care about are lower premiums and better health care. And you’re working with all these varying groups – you’re even working with moderates and conservatives – everybody knows I guess that they can’t get everything they want, right? 

Sen. Ted Cruz: That's exactly right. The players want to get to yes. If we set our goal, how do you lower health insurance premiums? There are a lot of tools and we know what those tools are. The most important is addressing the Obamacare insurance mandates. Under Obamacare, there are dozen mandates that are the prime drivers for premium skyrockets. The House bill just repealed two of those 12. It left 10 of the 12 Obamacare mandates in place. That doesn't make any sense because it makes health care unaffordable. There are other tools we have things like enabling people to purchase across state lines, things like association health plans. Letting people pay premiums from health savings accounts which means you’re using pre-tax dollars. All of those are consensus ideas that bring together conservatives, bring together moderates…

Sean Hannity: And that’s what the President promised.

Sen. Ted Cruz: That's exactly right.

Sean Hannity: One of the things that I've been hearing is you and the President are really getting along very well. Two Ted Cruz bills were signed into law by the President. Tell us about the relationship. 

Sen. Ted Cruz: Well, the President and I are talking frequently. We’re talking on the phone. We are meeting frequently and I'm doing everything I can to help lead the fight for President Trump and all of us in Congress to deliver on the promises we made to the American people. We have a historic opportunity. In 2017 we are poised to do four big things. To repeal Obamacare, pass fundamental tax reform, see major regulatory reform and confirm a strong conservative to the Supreme Court. If we do those four, 2017 is a blockbuster year. I'm spending my time rolling up my sleeves trying to get the job done. You are right, in the last two weeks President Trump signed two bills I authored. One the NASA Authorization bill which puts our space program on a strong and growing platform going forward and then number two, a bill that enable states to require drug testing for unemployment benefits. Both of those are very important and major victories for the State of Texas.

Sean Hannity: This is an important time for the country and so much hangs in the balance. We have to stop this precipitous decline. Thank you for the work you are doing. Great to have your back. Good to see you, sir. 

Sen. Ted Cruz: Thank you Sean, good to be with you.

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