VIDEO: Another Incredible Year Fighting For Texans
Sen. Cruz releases video highlighting legislative efforts on behalf of Texas
HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released the following video highlighting his service to 28 million Texans in 2017. From repealing Obamacare’s individual mandate in Congress’ historic tax reform bill, to securing five Cruz-authored pieces of legislation signed into law by President Trump, which included his bill to provide immediate tax relief to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, Sen. Cruz has fought tirelessly for the Lone Star state.
Watch the full video here.
“I wake up each day grateful to serve 28 million Texans,” Sen. Cruz said. “Though 2017 has brought its share of challenges to Texas, America has witnessed the resilient, ‘can-do’ spirit of our state, as we work to rebuild our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. As we reflect on 2017, and look forward to the new year, I remain committed to fighting for Texans in 2018.”
Sen. Cruz played a critical role in repealing Obamacare’s individual mandate in Congress’ historic tax reform bill. By repealing the mandate, 6.5 million Americans who have been unfairly fined by the IRS for not being able to afford health insurance, have immediate and significant relief. Sen. Cruz continues to fight for the millions of Americans who have been hurt under Obamacare, and remains a leader on health care reform efforts.
Earlier this year, Sen. Cruz reintroduced ‘Kate’s Law,’ which would amend federal law to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any illegal reentry offense.
President Trump signed into law the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included 13 Cruz amendments critical to Texas and U.S. national security.
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Cruz led the effort to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. In a speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Cruz urged his colleagues to honor the will of the American people, and confirm Justice Gorsuch swiftly.
Sen. Cruz introduced the El Chapo Act, which would reserve any amounts forfeited to the U.S. Government as a result of the criminal prosecution of “El Chapo” (formally named Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Lorea) and other drug lords for border security assets and the completion of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Sen. Cruz visited with victims, volunteers, first responders, and local officials in every region affected by the storm. Along with Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Cruz introduced a bill to provide crucial and immediate tax relief to storm survivors along the Gulf Coast, in Puerto Rico, and in the Virgin Islands. President Trump signed it into law shortly thereafter.
President Trump signed the Cruz-Nelson NASA Transition Authorization Act, which reaffirms NASA’s core mission, and ensures the Johnson Space Center remains the crown jewel of NASA’s human spaceflight missions.
Later, President Trump signed into law a bill sponsored by Sen. Cruz and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) to disapprove and nullify a drug-testing rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor under the previous administration. The rule undermined the ability of states to conduct drug testing in their unemployment programs.
North Korea has grown more hostile toward America and our allies, and is committed to destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region. Sen. Cruz introduced legislation mandating the State Department report on designating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, which was included in the bipartisan Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. President Trump signed this bill into law in August and in November affirmatively designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Additionally, Sen. Cruz’s Student Opportunity Amendment, the most far-reaching federal school choice legislation ever passed, was included in Congress’ tax reform bill. This amendment expands 529 College Savings Plans to include K-12 elementary and secondary school tuition for public, private, and religious schools.
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