Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the critical need for disaster relief in my home State of Texas for a Texas community that was devastated by historic wildfires. I will seek to improve the pending Disaster Tax Relief Act being considered by the Senate to address that acute need in Texas. No doubt the current version provides relief that is also badly needed elsewhere. I would like to speak directly to the families of Spokane, WA, who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their sense of security.
2026 MidtermsToss-Up SeatR+14$6.4M raised
Ted Cruz
Senator · Texas · Republican
Ted Cruz
Border Security · Gun Rights · Energy Independence · School Choice
Senate Floor
Recent comments in the Senate
Mr. President, for the past 3 years, I have worked hard to find a way to bring order to the chaos that is consuming the new era of college sports. I think it is helpful to understand why college sports are in this mess and why university administrators, athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes haven't been able to bring order to this chaos, and it starts with Federal law. Our Nation's antitrust laws were written over a century ago and were never designed to regulate NIL, transfer portals, billion-dollar media contracts, and the realities of modern college athletics.
Mr. President, reserving the right to object, on the merits, there are no substantive objections to this legislation. However, we do have a challenge between the two Chambers of Congress. The Senate is doing its work. The Senate is taking up important pieces of legislation, reaching bipartisan agreement, and passing them; and they are going to the House of Representatives where right now they are simply sitting and languishing. House leadership has decided to adopt a strategy that is, frankly, indefensible.
Biography
Ted Cruz, a former solicitor general of Texas, brought his legal expertise to the U.S. Senate after winning election in 2012 to represent Texas. He is known for his vocal advocacy on constitutional law, border security, and economic policy. Cruz played a leading role in the 2013 federal government shutdown over the Affordable Care Act and serves on the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees. He is recognized for his assertive, detail-oriented approach to legislation and his commitment to representing conservative values on behalf of Texans.
Education
- J.D., Magna cum laude, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA1995
- B.A., Cum laude, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ1992
Professional History
U.S. Senator
2013–PresentSenator from Texas. 3 terms.
Solicitor General of Texas
2003–2008Appointed by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and served as the state's chief appellate lawyer.
Domestic Policy Adviser, George W. Bush Presidential Campaign
1999–2000Advised then-Governor George W. Bush on domestic policy and legal issues during his presidential campaign.
Policy Focus
International Affairs8%
Taxation6%
Armed Forces and National Security5%
Government Operations and Politics4%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Ted Cruz's record in Congress.
Space Industry Support
Championed the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, supporting private sector growth in the U.S. space industry.
Hurricane Harvey Relief
Secured federal disaster relief funding for Texas communities affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Human Trafficking Prevention
Co-sponsored the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, enhancing law enforcement tools to combat human trafficking.
Internet Freedom
Led efforts to oppose the transfer of U.S. oversight of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority to international control.
Committee Assignments
View details →- Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationChairman
- Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
- Senate Committee on the Judiciary
- Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Sen. Ted Cruz FAQ
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