Sen. Cruz Files Amendments to Democrats’ Senate Budget

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) today filed several amendments to the budget proposed by Senate Democrats, most notably an amendment to repeal Obamacare.

“Obamacare was passed with many promises and yet the reality is, it has not delivered. It is hurting young people, seniors, Hispanics, African-Americans, single moms and it’s hurting the economy. It should be repealed,” Sen. Cruz said. “I am proud that Senate Republicans once again stood united and unanimously voted to undo this devastating legislation. Our economy is stagnant right now – last quarter is was 0.1 percent – and sadly, every Democrat who voted, voted to continue implementing Obamacare even as the economy is gasping for breath. We must continue to revisit efforts to defund and repeal Obamacare to prevent the kind of impact that could send this country backwards into a recession, particularly at a time when so many are struggling.”

To view Sen. Cruz presenting his amendment to repeal Obamacare, click here.

Sen. Cruz also filed nine other amendments to the budget which include:

• Prohibiting drone killings of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil absent an imminent threat
• Eliminating corporate welfare
• Scholarships for school choice
• Limiting federal ownership of state lands
• Transferring foreign aid from Egypt to U.S. missile defense
• Creating a private right of action to challenge costly federal regulations
• Prohibiting millionaires from receiving welfare
• Restoring labor regulation to the states
• “Bloomberg Big Gulp Amendment” prohibiting federal regulation of food and beverage size and quantity 

“Finally after four years of an unwillingness to show any leadership on one of the most important responsibilities of Congress – to draft and approve a budget for the trillions of American tax dollars collected by the government every year – the Senate Democrats have brought a budget up for a vote. Unfortunately, it blatantly ignores the crucial need to lower taxes and reduce spending, adding $5.2 trillion in deficits, increasing spending by $645 billion an adding $1.5 trillion in taxes over ten years,” said Sen. Cruz. “We must start taking steps to restore economic growth, and the first step is to repeal Obamacare in its entirety. I am pleased to offer additional amendments that address and prioritize conservative principles that fortify Americans’ liberties and restrain an ever-encroaching federal government.”

Amendment to Repeal Obamacare – This amendment would provide for the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and encourage patient-centered reforms to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs, promoting economic growth.

Amendment to Prohibit Drone Killings of U.S. Citizens Absent an Imminent Threat – This amendment would prohibit using drones to kill U.S. citizens in the United States unless they present an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to another individual.

Amendment to Eliminate Corporate Welfare – This amendment would provide for the elimination of corporate welfare.

Amendment to Provide Scholarships for School Choice – This amendment would allow for legislation related to school choice, which may include providing a portion of Department of Education funding to the states to allow for scholarships to low-income students, Kindergarten to 12th grade, to use at either a public or private school.

Amendment to Limit Federal Ownership of State Lands – This amendment would prevent the federal government from owning more than 50 percent of the land in any state.

Amendment to Redirect Egypt Foreign Aid to U.S. Missile Defense – This amendment would provide for reducing foreign assistance to Egypt and increasing funding for the Missile Defense Agency to establish a land-based missile defense capability on the U.S. East Coast.

Amendment to Provide Private Right of Action to Challenge Costly Regulations – This amendment would allow private entities to legally challenge federal regulations that impose costs significantly exceed the benefits.

Amendment to Prohibit Millionaires from Receiving Welfare – This amendment would prohibit millionaires from being eligible to receive any means-tested welfare payments.

“Bloomberg Big Gulp Amendment” to Prevent Food and Beverage Size and Quantity Regulations – This amendment would prohibit federal regulation of the size and quantity of food and beverages.

Amendment to Restore Labor Regulation to the States – This amendment would provide the restoration of federalism in regard to the regulation of labor relations by providing that it is the sole right of states to regulate labor relations.

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