Sen. Cruz Recaps 2015: A Year Fighting For Freedom

WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released a powerful video and comprehensive review, highlighting his efforts to break the Washington Cartel and address critical issues facing the American people in the 114th Congress. 

Below is a brief outline of the video, which can be watched here, and Sen. Cruz’s efforts included therein. An inclusive list of Sen. Cruz’s year fighting for freedom is available here.

Breaking the Washington Cartel

• Delivered a speech at The Heritage Foundation revealing the cronyism that runs deep in Washington,powered by the Washington Cartel of establishment politicians and corporate lobbyists who continue to benefit big government and big business at the expense of millions of Americans.
• Delivered a powerful speech on the Senate floor shining a light on the corrupt deal struck by Senate Republican leadership to allow the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.
• Issued a statement highlighting Republican leadership’s tendencies to side with Democrats.
• Penned an op-ed for POLITICO, describing the Republican Party’s surrender politics.

Protecting Americans from IRS Abuse

• Introduced two bills to protect Americans from partisan abuses and political targeting by the IRS.
• Sent a letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, asking for information regarding the tax-exempt status of The PeaceWorks Network Foundation, most commonly known by the name "OneVoice," after several media reports indicated OneVoice, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, had been using its resources to influence the outcome of the Israeli elections.
• Sent a letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen asking him to confirm that his agency will respect America’s longstanding principle of religious liberty in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Obergefell v. Hodges requiring a nationwide redefinition of marriage.
• Held a hearing on the IRS’ targeting of conservative groups. 

Stopping Illegal Immigration

• Questioned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Sarah Saldaña in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing regarding the Administration’s failure to enforce immigration law against criminal illegal aliens. 
• Introduced “Kate’s Law,” the Establishing Mandatory Minimums for Illegal Reentry Act of 2015, to amend federal law to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any illegal reentry offense.
• Reintroduced Kate’s Law and placed the bill directly on the Senate calendar.
• Asked for unanimous consent to pass Kate’s Law.
• Delivered a speech on the Senate floor citing the Obama Administration’s persistent negligence of immigration law enforcement and bolstering the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act as a small step in the right direction.
• Introduced the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act, to end sanctuary cities and combat illegal reentry.

Blocking the Catastrophic Iran Nuclear Deal

• Filed an amendment with Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, which would require affirmative Congressional approval of any Iranian nuclear deal before sanctions relief can occur.
• Sent a letter to President Obama declaring his intention to hold reauthorizing legislation and block nominees for the U.S. State Department unless the President provides written assurances that he will block any U.N. Security Council resolution approving the Iranian nuclear deal until the statutory timeline for Congressional review has run its course.
• Introduced legislation clarifying the congressional review period for the Iran Nuclear Deal.
• Released a video rejecting the Iran Nuclear Deal.
• Delivered a speech on the Senate floor strongly opposing the Administration’s Iran nuclear deal and urging 42 Democrats to reconsider their stances on this catastrophic agreement.
• Sent a letter to Leader McConnell and Speaker Boehner outlining the legal approach to prevent the Iran nuclear deal from taking effect.

Bolstering National Security

• Introduced two bills to protect national security and support men and women in uniform.
• Held a press conference with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on national security legislation.
• Sent a letter to the Obama Administration demanding the immigration history of the San Bernardino attackers.
• Requested unanimous consent on his Expatriate Terrorist Act and Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act, both of which would protect the safety and security of the American people.
• Penned an op-ed for The Washington Times, emphasizing the need for his Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015.
• Delivered a national security address at The Heritage Foundation, detailing strategic points to keep America safe at home and strong abroad, while protecting Americans’ liberty. 

Redirecting Taxpayer Funds from Planned Parenthood

• Called for an investigation into Planned Parenthood following reports that Planned Parenthood is selling body parts of aborted babies.
• Sent letters to Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Cate Dyer, CEO of StemExpress. The letters requested documents and additional information from NIH and StemExpress in order to determine their potential involvement in Planned Parenthood’s possible illegal conduct.
• Spoke at the Students for Life of America #WomenBetrayed Rally at the U.S. Capitol, where he called on the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce the criminal laws and investigate Planned Parenthood.
• Penned an op-ed for USA Today, urging congressional action to block Planned Parenthood funding and calling for the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into potential criminal actions within the abortion industry.
• Applauded Texas for dropping Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program.
• Continued fighting against federal funding for Planned Parenthood after an undercover video surfaced featuring a Texas abortion provider. 

###