The Republican lawmaker confronted backlash following preliminary stories emerged on social media that he experienced jetsetted to Cancun inspite of the common disaster in Texas, but he defended himself in a assertion Thursday afternoon declaring it was a journey for his two daughters, Caroline and Catherine, and their friends.
“This has been an infuriating 7 days for Texans…Like tens of millions of Texans, our family members misplaced warmth and electrical power way too,’ Cruz reported in a statement with ABC Information.
“With college cancelled for the 7 days, our girls questioned to choose a vacation with friends. Seeking to be a fantastic father, I flew down with them last night time and am flying back this afternoon,” he mentioned.
“My team and I are in continuous interaction with point out and nearby leaders to get to the bottom of what took place in Texas. We want our electric power back, our water on, and our houses warm. My crew and I will continue making use of all our assets to preserve Texans knowledgeable and protected,” Cruz additional.
Cruz was originally scheduled to return to Texas on Saturday with his household, but improved his reservation in the morning to return this night, according to a supply common with his journey routine.
Cruz’s business office informed ABC Information the senator was examined this early morning for COVID-19 to comply with the new mandate necessitating citizens to current a negative check right before traveling to the United States.
Cruz headed to Cancun, Mexico, for a very long-planned family members getaway, numerous media retailers had documented, like The Connected Push, CNN and Fox News.
The Houston Law enforcement Section confirmed to ABC News that Cruz’s staff contacted police staff on Wednesday requesting aid upon the senator’s arrival at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, even though they did not specify what style of help.
Law enforcement explained he arrived at Terminal E and officers “monitored his actions” by way of the terminal.
Critics slammed the senator on Twitter immediately after photographs emerged on social media of a person who seems to be Cruz aboard a plane.
The Lone Star point out is in the midst of a crisis in the wake of a powerful storm that began Sunday, producing common electric power outages and burst pipes. Virtually 500,000 prospects in Texas remained without having energy Thursday early morning.
Gov. Greg Abbott averted commenting on Cruz’s excursion saying, “I haven’t been following people’s vacation’s plans.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner explained, “Perfectly it is undoubtedly considerably hotter in which he’s likely” when asked about Cruz’s trip in the course of a push conference Thursday.
“My occupation is to keep below right until the scenario is fixed so which is it you know, I am gonna permit the senator talk for the senator,” he additional.
“That’s some thing that he has to solution to his constituents about,” point out Republican Party Chairman Allen West reported to the AP on his vacation. “I am below hoping to take treatment of my family members and search right after my close friends and many others that are nevertheless without the need of energy.”
Texas Democrats termed on Cruz to resign for seemingly abandoning his constituents in the midst of the storm.
Texas Democratic Occasion chairman Gilberto Hinojosa claimed, “Ted Cruz jetting off to Mexico whilst Texans stay dying in the cold just isn’t shocking but it is deeply disturbing and disappointing.”
“The Texas Democratic Get together phone calls on Ted Cruz to resign or be expelled from office environment… We will have to restore ethics, competence, and a government that is effective for the folks,” the group mentioned in a assertion.
Just on Monday Cruz had urged citizens to keep property in a radio job interview that was shared on YouTube by his office environment in which he reported: “So do not possibility it. Maintain your household protected and just continue to be residence and hug your youngsters.”
A single day later on, Cruz issued a public apology on Twitter following an old tweet of his from August resurfaced, in which he castigated California’s “unsuccessful energy insurance policies” and mocked their electric power grid process.
This week’s winter season storm has also pushed Texas’ grid system to the limit and resulted in thousands and thousands currently being left with out electricity on Wednesday.
“I have no defense,” he wrote apologetically. “A blizzard strikes Texas & our condition shuts down. Not fantastic.”
In December Cruz eviscerated Austin Mayor Steve Adler as a “hypocrite” for vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in the course of the pandemic after he informed residents to remain house.
ABC News’ Mariam Khan and Benjamin Siegel contributed to this report.
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