Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today introduced the Human Rights Accountability Act to incentivize the U.S. Department of State to issue a report on Iran’s human rights record. The bill would withhold five percent of the Department’s operating budget – with the exception of funds for Worldwide Security Protection – for every 30 days the report is delayed. The State Department is required by law to release the Country Reports...

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, released the following statement on last night's shooting in Charleston: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of last night's shooting in Charleston, who were tragically taken from us as they gathered together in prayer inside their place of worship. While details are still emerging, I have faith in law enforcement that the perpetrator of this evil and senseless act will be brought to justice and prosecuted to the...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today introduced the Immigration Slush Fund Elimination Act to eliminate the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) ability to use the fees it collects for the provision of legal immigration services to fund amnesty. The bill would also restore congressional authority over the appropriations process and refocus the agency on its core national security mission. “America has always been a land of refuge and opportunity for those...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following today’s vote on the Military Justice Improvement Act amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) at a press conference today in support of the measure. The amendment required 60 votes to pass and was not agreed to by a vote of 50-49. Highlights of Sen. Cruz’s remarks are below and may...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) penned the following op-ed for The Washington Times calling upon the State Department to comply with its statutory obligations and immediately release the report on Iran’s human rights practices. Full article may be viewed at here. State Dept. must release the Iran human rights report nowBy: Sen. Ted CruzWashington TimesJune 16, 2015 A little over a month ago, five Senate colleagues and I sent a letter to Secretary of State John...

June 12, 2015 Greetings, This week I had the opportunity to visit Edinburg and meet with border officials, and our priority remains the same – we must secure the border to protect Texans and promote legal immigration. Law enforcement officials in the region continue to work tirelessly to keep our families safe from criminals and drug traffickers. I thank them, and I remain committed to doing everything I can to address the border crisis. Keep Texas strong, Ted Cruz   A Regional Update...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) spoke to POLITICO about the upcoming Supreme Court decision in King v. Burwell and Congress’s response to the decision: “I think the best legislative option is to allow states to opt out,” Cruz said in the Capitol. “I am cautiously optimistic that the Supreme Court will conclude in King vs. Burwell that the Obama IRS disregarded the plain language of the statute and acted lawlessly. And when that occurs, it will be a real...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement after a vote this afternoon on reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Sixty-five senators voted to keep Ex-Im alive, while 29 Republicans and one Independent joined Sen. Cruz in voting to end Ex-Im and the Washington cronyism it represents. Sen. Cruz looks forward to ensuring the Export-Import Bank charter expires permanently after its statutory expiration...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today applauded the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for ruling in favor of several health and safety provisions in Texas legislation, House Bill 2, which ensures that abortion clinics meet the safety standards of state Ambulatory Surgical Centers and requires that abortionists qualify for admitting privileges at a local hospital. House Bill 2 also bans abortions after 20 weeks.  “This week Texas has once again led the way in...

EDINBURG, Texas -- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today attended a briefing with border security enforcement officials and received an update on security efforts in the region. Following the briefing, Sen. Cruz held a media availability. "We need Congress to bring people together and start solving these problems," Sen. Cruz said. "To stop talking about it and to work together to solve it. And I will say again, it was encouraging listening to local sheriffs, local chiefs of police, local law...

June 5, 2015 Greetings, This week, I held a hearing in the Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight to answer Americans’ questions about the Treasury Department and IRS’s unlawful Obamacare rulemaking that is imposing billions of dollars of taxes on Americans. Unfortunately, the Treasury officials who helped write the rule refused my request to attend. Their failure to respond to Congress and answer the people typifies the Obama Administration’s contempt for the law and disregard...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today held a hearing in the Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts to examine the Department of Treasury’s rulemaking that has disregarded the text of the law and illegally enabled the IRS to provide federal Obamacare subsidies to millions of Americans. Sen. Cruz invited Treasury officials, but they refused to attend. “I wanted to take just a few minutes to discuss the empty table...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon regarding his outrage that the State of Israel may be added to the U.N.’s list of “parties to conflict who commit grave violations against children.”  “This designation would falsely and shamefully equate Israel with some of the most barbaric terrorist organizations around the world,” Sen. Cruz wrote. “Mr. Secretary-General, I submit...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released the following statement regarding the Senate's passage of the USA FREEDOM Act. Sen. Cruz is an original cosponsor of the bill: "The USA FREEDOM Act is the right policy approach. It protects the civil liberties of every American. It ends the federal government's bulk collection of personal data from law-abiding citizens. And at the same time it ensures that we maintain the tools that are needed to target violent terrorists and prevent...

AUSTIN, Texas - Texans who sustained property damage as a result of the ongoing severe storms and flooding are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for federal and state disaster assistance. The presidential disaster declaration of May 29 makes disaster aid available to eligible families, individuals and business owners in Hays, Harris and Van Zandt counties. "FEMA wants to help Texans begin their recovery as soon as possible, but we need...

June 1, 2015 As thousands of Texans have endured devastating storms, we lift up all those who have suffered loss, particularly of loved ones. This wave of storms has swept through nearly every region, and while the damage is unimaginable, it has been inspiring to see citizens, churches, and communities join together to help those in need. Last week, I toured affected areas in Houston, Wimberley, and San Marcos and met with Gov. Abbott and state and local officials to assess the damage and ensure...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew regarding the department’s refusal to supply key witnesses for an upcoming Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing about the rulemaking process for Obamacare subsidies.  “This refusal is unacceptable and interferes with Congress’s and this Committee’s obligation to ensure proper functioning of federal agencies and the federal rulemaking...

HOUSTON - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today attended two press conferences with state and local officials, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, and Houston Mayor Annise Parker, where they addressed concerns regarding flooding throughout Texas. At the Houston Office Of Emergency Management, Sen. Cruz said: "Today Texans are hurting, Texans are hurting throughout the community of Houston, they are hurting up in Wimberley and across the State. We have seen lives...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), today released the following statement regarding legislation to establish trade promotion authority: "The American middle class is getting crushed by the Obama economy," said Sen. Cruz. "Middle class incomes are stagnating, and the labor force participation rate has not been this low since the Carter Administration. While I have serious concerns about the all-too-typical Washington backroom deals that enabled this bill to get to the floor, I could...