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July 1, 2016
Greetings,
This Fourth of July weekend, we reflect on the precious of gift of independence our Founding Fathers secured 240 years ago. The signing of the Declaration of Independence signified to the world that our God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness must never be infringed.
As Thomas Jefferson so powerfully observed, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator” - not by kings, not by queens, not by a president, but by their Creator - “with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
We must never take these rights for granted, or forget those who have fought and continue to fight to keep us free. On Independence Day, and every day, we stand united as Americans, reaffirming our commitment to a government of, by, and for the people.
Keep Texas Strong,
Ted Cruz
Sen. Cruz Continues Pushing Back Against the Administration’s Willful Blindness to Radical Islamic Terrorism
 On Tuesday, Sen. Cruz chaired a Judiciary Committee hearing to investigate the Obama administration’s dangerous practice of scrubbing anti-terror material and turning a blind eye to radical Islamic terrorism.
“We cannot combat and defeat radical Islamic terrorism without acknowledging it exists and directing our resources to stopping it,” Sen. Cruz said in the hearing. “And an Orwellian doublethink that seeks to excerpt any reference to it, as the Administration did to the President of France, or erase pledges of allegiance to ISIS, as the Administration did with the Orlando terrorist, is counterproductive to keeping this country safe.”
On Thursday, Sen. Cruz questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson about the Administration’s refusal to acknowledge radical Islamic terrorism.
While questioning Secretary Johnson, Sen. Cruz said, “What concerns me, and I believe should concern the Department of Homeland Security, is that because of this effort – scrubbing your law enforcement materials of any acknowledgment of radical Islamic terrorism – when you see the red flags of radical Islamic terrorism, you do not follow up on them effectively. And we have terrorist attack, after terrorist attack, after terrorist attack that could have been prevented but for this Administration’s willful blindness.”
Read the full release and watch Sen. Cruz’s opening statement from Tuesday’s hearing here. Watch Sen. Cruz’s exchange with Secretary Johnson from Thursday’s hearing here.
Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Supreme Court’s Decision to Strike Down Texas HB 2 Provisions
On Monday, Sen. Cruz issued a statement in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, a case examining Texas HB 2, which established health and safety standards for abortion providers and facilities. The Supreme Court reversed the Fifth Circuit’s decision, ultimately striking down provisions of Texas HB 2.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt is profoundly disappointing,” Sen. Cruz said. “Texas enacted HB 2’s commonsense health standards to ensure that women receive safe care. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court sided with abortion extremists who care more about providing abortion-on-demand than they do protecting women’s health. This decision will not silence our fight to protect the most helpless and innocent among us, nor will we cease our efforts to protect women from an abortion industry that prioritizes profit margins over improving the safety and health of Texas women. We will continue to stand resolutely to defend unborn life because we know that every life is a gift from God, and without life there is no liberty.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz: Today, We Remember Kate Steinle
Sen. Cruz today issued a statement memorializing Kate Steinle on the first anniversary of her untimely death in San Francisco at the hands of an illegal alien who had several felony convictions and had been deported from the United States five times. Next week, ‘Kate’s Law’, authored by Sen. Cruz, is scheduled to receive a vote on the Senate floor.
“One year ago, Kate Steinle was spending time with her father on San Francisco’s Pier 14. What happened next was something that never should have occurred. Kate’s time with her family and, ultimately, her life were brought to an abrupt end,” Sen. Cruz said.
“On July 1, 2015, Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, a man who entered our country illegally five times and racked up multiple felonies, brutally killed Kate Steinle. And sadly now, an entire year later, the problem that prompted Kate’s tragic, untimely death still exists.
“Sanctuary cities and the criminal aliens they harbor are a threat to the safety of the American people. And yet, San Francisco and jurisdictions around the country still shelter illegal aliens, actively thwarting enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws.
“Let me be clear, defiance of our immigration laws is inexcusable. On Wednesday of next week, the Senate is scheduled to vote on ‘Kate’s Law,’ legislation I authored and named in honor of Kate Steinle. This legislation would deter dangerous illegal aliens from reentering the country after being deported by imposing a five-year minimum sentence for certain illegal reentry offenses.
“Next week, Congress has an opportunity to take a stand for the American people, but today, we remember Kate.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Steinle family.”
More information on Kate’s Law can be found here.
Sen. Cruz Sends Letter to Federal Regulators Demanding Cooperation with Texas
On Thursday, Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Director Joseph Pizarchik, regarding the agency’s repeated failures to provide the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) with requested information related to the OSMRE’s proposed Stream Protection Rule. The agency’s noncompliance is a direct violation of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016.
Sen. Cruz sent the letter after working closely with the RRC to address the OSMRE’s stonewalling of the state’s multiple requests.
“Texas is the sixth largest coal producer in the nation, and the Railroad Commission of Texas has safely regulated surface mining in our state since 1981. It is important, necessary and rightful that we are a part of this process,” Chairman David Porter said. “I am always deeply concerned about the federal government’s attempts to seize our regulatory authority, and I want to thank Sen. Cruz for helping us combat federal overreach and defend state primacy.”
“I applaud Sen. Cruz’s efforts on behalf of the Railroad Commission and people of Texas to encourage the Office of Surface Mining to follow the law,” said Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton. “The Commission has repeatedly expressed its concerns regarding the Stream Protection Rule to OSMRE and requested opportunities to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the rule. Unfortunately, OSMRE has refused to provide the Commission with necessary information and to discuss how the rule was developed. We are confident that with the help of Senator Cruz, we can help OSMRE understand the flaws in their unnecessary rule.”
Read the full release, including Sen. Cruz’s letter in its entirety, here.
Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Benghazi Committee’s Findings
On Tuesday, Sen. Cruz issued the following statement in response to the House Select Committee on Benghazi’s final report:
“The House Select Committee on Benghazi’s report confirms the disturbing pattern that has emerged over the course of the Obama administration, in which the President and his top aides approach the world through rigid, ideological blinders, seeing things as they wish them to be, not as they actually are,” Sen. Cruz said. “In this alternative universe, Putin gets a reset, the mullahs in Tehran are reliable negotiating partners, the Castros are our friends, and the four dead Americans in Benghazi are the victims of a spontaneous protest sparked by genuine outrage at a slur against Islam gone awry—because to admit publicly that they were the deliberate targets of a radical Islamic terrorist attack would be to admit that the Obama-Clinton Libya policy had failed.
“Equally disturbing is the revelation in this report that the bureaucratic incompetence of the Department of State under Secretary Clinton contributed to the administration’s willful blindness, as the pleas for help from our foreign service officers in Libya were routinely ignored because not only were they the wrong message, but they were also in the wrong format. It is obviously far too easy for our government officials to ignore reports they don’t want to hear on procedural grounds. The most stunning revelation in the report is that no American military response forces were deployed until 13 hours after the attack began--long after four brave Americans had already lost their lives. It is no surprise the Administration tried so hard to cover up this deplorable dereliction of duty. Protecting the lives of innocent Americans both abroad and here at home from this vicious enemy that is trying to kill us has to be Washington’s top priority, and if the Obama administration refuses to act, I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to keep our people safe.”
Read the full release here.
Sen. Cruz Releases Video Highlighting Dangers of Obama’s Internet Giveaway
Sen. Cruz released a video illustrating the threats President Obama’s radical Internet giveaway poses to our country’s freedom and national security.
“From the very first days of the Internet, the American government has maintained domain names and ensured equal access to everyone, with no censorship whatsoever. Obama wants to give that power away to an international body called ICANN, which would empower countries like Russia, China, and Iran,” Sen. Cruz says in the video. “Russia and China and Iran don’t have a First Amendment. They don’t protect free speech. And they actively censor the Internet.”
Watch Sen. Cruz’s video in its entirety here.
Celebrating Independence Day in Texas
Over this Fourth of July weekend, we observe our country’s independence and the bravery of those who keep us free. A few of the many celebrations taking place across the State of Texas include:
Abilene: Annual WesTex Connect 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Austin: Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
Beaumont: The City of Beaumont’s 30th Annual Fourth of July Celebration
Corpus Christi: The Big Bang Celebration
Dallas: The Rotary Club of Park Cities’ 4th of July Parade
Edna: Fireworks and Antique Tractor Show
El Paso: Fort Bliss Pop Goes the Fort Celebration
Fort Worth: Fort Worth’s Fourth
Georgetown: 30th Annual Fourth of July in San Gabriel Park
Harlingen: 4th Annual Freedom Fest
Houston: Freedom Over Texas Festival
Killeen: Fort Hood Fireworks
Lake Travis: Lago Vista 4th of July Celebration
Laredo: Fireworks, Watermelon-Eating Contest, and Tejano Concert
Longview: Red White and Boom
San Angelo: July 3rd Pops Concert with San Angelo Symphony
San Antonio: Independence Day at the Alamo
Sulphur Springs: Independence Day Symphony on the Square
Victoria: H-E-B Fourth of July Parade
Wichita Falls: 29th Annual Fourth of July Celebration
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