U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz called school choice a civil rights issue and defended his decision to go to Cancun during the 2021 winter storm in an interview Saturday at The Texas Tribune Festival.
Cruz’s comments on school choice come just days after Gov. Greg Abbott said a special session on the issue would start next month.
Cruz’s statement at Austin’s Paramount Theatre caused laughter from the audience as he referred to it as the civil rights issue of the 21st century.
Cruz stated that he doesn’t hesitate to actively campaign against fellow Republicans who are against school choice.
Cruz stated that he and his team gather every two years to create a spreadsheet, analyzing the voting records of the state legislature regarding school choice. He emphasized that if a legislator has voted against choice, the likelihood of receiving his support is extremely low. He further mentioned the high possibility of endorsing the primary opponent of such legislators and made it clear that his endorsements are not given lightly.
In his conversation with Tribune political reporter Patrick Svitek, Cruz also defended his decision to leave Texas for Cancun during winter storm Uri, which paralyzed much of the state with days of subfreezing temperatures and widespread power blackouts.
Cruz explained that he lacked the power to manipulate the weather. He clarified that he was experiencing a power outage at home, just like many others, and so he made the choice to bring his children along to the beach.
Before boarding his flight to Mexico, Cruz claimed he had been working without electricity and mentioned that numerous Texas officials had also departed the state amidst the storm.
Cruz stated that he was carrying out his responsibilities, emphasizing that it could be accomplished from any location. He pointed out that various Texas officials were also absent from the state, yet they received no attention or scrutiny.
Cruz also addressed his recording of a podcast three times a week. An anti-Cruz group, Lose Cruz PAC, has been hammering him over how much time he spends on the podcast and recently released a video compiling regular media appearances where he promotes the podcast. Cruz said he found the criticism puzzling and defended the podcast as a way to communicate with constituents.
Cruz was asked about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who has been criticized for accepting lavish gifts from donors without disclosing them.
Cruz defended Thomas, saying that other justices have done the same, including Stephen Breyer — who accepted a flight from a Democratic megadonor — and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who accepted a trip to Israel and Jordan from an Israeli billionaire. A ProPublica investigation said that both Breyer and Ginsburg disclosed those gifts and found that Thomas is an apparent outlier because of the frequency and volume of undisclosed gifts, including paid vacations, that he’s received.
Cruz expressed that while there is general dissatisfaction with Thomas’ legal philosophy, the left harbors a specific animosity towards a conservative Black man like him. Cruz further mentioned that individuals of Hispanic descent, such as himself, who do not align with the Democratic Party also face similar disdain.
Cruz, who will be seeking reelection in the upcoming year, concluded the discussion by stating that he would refrain from involving himself in the Republican presidential primary for 2024.
“I’m Switzerland,” he said.
