WASHINGTON, D.C. – After speaking on the Senate floor today, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement:Posted on 07/26/2015 4:28:53 PM PDT by Isara
American people elected a Republican majority believing it would somehow be different from a Democratic one
Video of Sen. Cruz’s floor speech today
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After speaking on the Senate floor today, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement:
“We’ve just seen something extraordinary on the Senate floor. The American people elected a Republican majority believing that a Republican majority would be somehow different from a Democratic majority in the United States Senate. Unfortunately, the way the current Senate operates, there is one party, the Washington party.
“Senate leadership consists of the McConnell-Reid leadership team. They operate as a team. They support the same priorities. If you look at what has occurred in the United States Senate since the Republicans took a majority, we immediately returned after winning a historic majority to pass a trillion dollar ‘cromnibus’ bill filled with corporate welfare and pork. Then, the so-called Republican majority voted to fund Obamacare. Then, the so-called Republican majority voted to fund President Obama’s unconstitutional executive amnesty. Then, the so-called Republican majority voted to confirm Loretta Lynch as attorney general. Then, just moments ago, the so-called Republican majority voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, an egregious example of cronyism and corporate welfare.
“Every one of those is the priority of the Democratic leader Harry Reid. Every one of those is the priority of the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell. They operate as a team, expanding Washington and undermining the liberty of the people. What we just saw a moment ago is unprecedented in the annals of Senate history. It consisted of the majority leader and the minority leader denying members the ability to have votes on their amendments and indeed the ability even to have a roll call vote. The denial of a second, as you just saw a moment ago, which was aggressively whipped by the majority, is an extraordinary measure designed to gag Senators and enforce the will of the McConnell-Reid leadership team.
“It saddens me as a Republican to see Republican leadership lead the effort to kill an amendment that would have prevented lifting sanctions on Iran unless and until Iran recognizes Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and unless and until Iran releases American hostages. Make no mistake – granting a sufficient second for a roll call vote is done customarily in the United States Senate. Denying it is extraordinary, and it is done as a consequence of the majority leader Mitch McConnell being afraid for his members to be on record on this issue.
“We then, subsequently, saw Senator Mike Lee from Utah bring up his amendment to defund Planned Parenthood. We have seen in recent weeks gruesome videos of senior officials of Planned Parenthood discussing the selling of body parts of unborn children. These videos are horrifying, and yet it saddens me greatly that the Republican leader led the effort to continue the taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood.
“Make no mistake — when the majority leader whipped Republicans to vote alongside Democrats, it was no surprise that Democrats did not want to vote on that because Democrats in this chamber do not purport to support the right to life. But to see the so-called Republican leadership whip against allowing a vote to defund Planned Parenthood — it has the virtue of clarity. It makes clear that the McConnell-Reid leadership team is united in favor of big government spending and debt and power.
“The McConnell-Reid leadership team has no interest in cutting off one penny of funds to Planned Parenthood, which is why leader Mitch McConnell just blocked a vote on defunding Planned Parenthood. To the millions of Americans who rallied in November believing if only we got a Republican majority in the Senate something would be different, this was a clarifying and a sad moment.”
Video of Sen. Cruz’s floor speech today can be found above.
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A comment like Cruz’s makes me think he’s getting pretty sick of being a Republican. If I were the Establishment, I’d be a bit careful with him at this point, particularly with Trump lurking.
HOORAY Ted Cruz! BTTT!
WHO STOOD WITH CRUZ AND LEE TODAY? Does anyone know? Thanks!!
Republicans. They think only in terms of R & D. This is a problem Cruz must address, clearly and unambiguously.
Trump lives under his bed.
Then why is his record as governor a mirror of Barrys as senator? Worse actually as Barry, in office was anti gay marriage and mitt signed it into Mass law.
Why has he done more damage post fail to conservatives than Barry has? Because both are documented fact.
Hatch never spoke about Reid the way he went after Cruz.
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“They hit [Ted Cruz] harder than they hit the Democrats. If they’d hit the Democrats that hard, it would be a lot easier in life, but Ted Cruz took a stand and it was a brave stand. He really is a special guy.”
Donald Trump (when Cruz defended him on illegal immigration)
Must have missed that one. The turtle and his clan voted to continue funding planned parenthood? Really? Rand Paul must be furious for supporting that fool.
The DC Bubble is where good change doesn’t happen.
I’d love to see Cruz/Fiorina with The Donald as a closer adviser, like ValJar.
I like Carly - she was quite strong today of Fox News Sunday. I loved it when she said “Oh for heaven’s sake” in response to a stupid comment from some pro-abortion babe. Carly is quick, and not afraid.
I wonder, really. Did Rand stand with Ted or Mitch today? How about the others?
Reagan used his veto power a lot of times because he had a lot of opposition.
The Surrender Party hasn’t opposed the Obama agenda since Romney lost. Now hopefully Trump will make them pay in spades for their non opposition to the obama agenda.
Come on, TNMOUTH! I'm waiting for your evidence showing my expressions of support for Trump's Presidential ambitions! You labeled me a "good supporter of Trump", but I've yet to see your proof. Or are you just a MOUTH with no BRAIN?
You see, one can enjoy what Trump is doing to the electoral landscape, breaking down the protective walls that keep the other lily-livered GOP candidates (sans Cruz) from talking about issues important to Americans, without being a supporter of his Presidential ambitions. But is that too sophisticated a concept for you to fathom?
I saw that today. Senator Cruz is a very gifted speaker as he turned it around on them by the mention of speaking the truth and how truth is now a revolutionary act.
“Unfortunately, the way the current Senate operates, there is one party, the Washington party. “
I prefer the term “uniparty” but that’s close enough. Looks like Sen. Cruz has had his road to Damascus moment.
Welcome aboard.
Never thought I would say this, but I agree:
I go wherever Cruz goes.
Not as hard as I thought it would be even though I was a good republican for years.
He’s beyond brilliant!
Listening to recent Rush broadcasts, I think he's not too far behind.
Just listening to Ted Cruz speak for long periods without a teleprompter, eloquently, factually, and with fervor, and freedom in his heart and speech, makes me believe he is fighting for us and the Constitution. He is a true patriot and statesman.
The most bold statement i can recall from a Republican in my lifetime.
Cruz or lose my FRiends.
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