The News with Sen. Cruz - May 14, 2013

Greetings,

After heading back to Washington from the April recess, things picked up quickly on Capitol Hill. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which I serve, began the mark-up process on the Gang of Eight's immigration reform legislation, hearings were held in the House of Representatives on the Benghazi attack, and the IRS revealed it had inappropriately targeted conservative, pro-Israel, and Jewish groups. In addition, I joined with other Senators to help protect the religious liberties of our men and women serving in the military.

I hope you'll keep reading below and then share this latest newsletter on Facebook and Twitter to keep your friends updated on what is going on in Washington.

All the best,

Ted Cruz

IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION

Last Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee began the mark-up on the Gang of Eight's immigration reform legislation. Sen. Cruz filed five amendments to the bill that would:

• Strengthen border security measures
• Reform the high-skilled temporary worker program
• Modernize, streamline and expand legal immigration
• Prohibit federal, state, or local entitlement benefits for those here illegally
• Ensure that those in the U.S. illegally are not given a path to citizenship

During Thursday's hearing, several amendments were considered that would have addressed very serious concerns with border security -- including amendments from both Sen. Cruz and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). Unfortunately, they were rejected and in response, Sen. Cruz invited members of the Judiciary Committee to the Southern Border in Texas for a chance to visit with farmers and ranchers who are frequently in contact with armed "coyotes" on their property, and to view photos of women and children who have died in the desert attempting to cross the border.

Sen. Cruz believes there is widespread, bipartisan support for fixing our nation's broken immigration system, and that the Senate should approach this legislation by addressing areas of common agreement so we may pass an effective bill that secures our border, upholds the rule of law, and champions legal immigration.

QUESTIONS ABOUT BENGHAZI

On September 11, 2012, terrorists attacked the American consulate in Benghazi, and murdered four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Just over eight months later, we have learned some of what happened, but many questions remain. Prior to last week's hearing on Benghazi in the House of Representatives, Sen. Cruz wrote an op-ed that highlights how much we still don't know, and that what we do know leads to the inescapable impression that before, during and after the Benghazi attacks, there was confusion and paralysis at the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the White House. Read Sen. Cruz's op-ed here and then share it with your friends.

NO BACK-ROOM DEALS TO RAISE TAXES OR THE DEBT CEILING

On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) sought consent to set aside regular order and send budget legislation straight to conference where reconciliation could be used to enable the Democrats to raise taxes or the debt ceiling with only 50 votes rather than the 60 votes they would usually require. Sen. Cruz objected to this attempt to circumvent regular order because Sen. Reid refused to promise not to use reconciliation to raise taxes or the debt ceiling. Sen. Cruz ensured that back-room deals were not used to dig this nation even further into debt -- much the same way Obamacare was passed with only a 50-vote threshold.

IRS HARASSES CITIZEN ADVOCATES

On Friday, the IRS admitted that it had inappropriately targeted conservative, pro-Israel, and Jewish groups for an extensive and exhaustive approval process. Sen. Cruz is especially concerned about these revelations because the IRS will have a significant role in enforcing Obamacare, and the agency that has admitted to engaging in such corrupt, political activities has no place assessing or monitoring Americans' personal health information.

Sen. Cruz has called for an investigation and accountability for all those responsible for these reprehensible actions, and he will continue to help lead the fight for a full repeal of Obamacare.

STOPPING VIOLENT GUN CRIME

President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Senate Majority Leader Reid have expressed their intention to revisit gun-control legislation. Sen. Cruz agrees that we should do everything we can to stop violent gun crime, and he, along with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), introduced legislation that would reduce violent gun crime while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. In an op-ed released last Wednesday, Sen. Cruz highlighted three facts that the Obama Administration does not want to address because they would rather regulate private sales of firearms than seriously address violent crime.

PROTECTING THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES OF OUR ARMED FORCES

Last Wednesday, Sen. Cruz joined with Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to send a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel requesting confirmation of the rights of the members of the armed services to practice and share their faith. The Senators sent the letter in response to recent reports in the media that indicate potential changes to military regulations governing the discussion of religion by members of the military. Read and share the letter.

IN THE MEDIA

Sen. Cruz joins Neil Cavuto to talk about the Internet Sales Tax Vote