U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Thursday (Feb. 18) publicly responded to media criticism of his flight to Cancun, Mexico, which is currently experiencing record low temperatures and snowfall, with severe weather also causing widespread power outages in Texas over the past few days.
Cruz’s latest statement said, “School was cancelled this week and our kids asked to go on a trip with their friends. Trying to be a good dad, I flew out (to Cancun) with them last night and flew back this afternoon.”
“My staff and I have been in communication with state and local leaders to understand the situation in Texas.” He referred to the power outage in Texas, and the power outages in some areas.
He said his Family is also without power and heat, and Texans are “hoping for power to be restored, water to be restored, and homes to be warm.
The first rumors were circulated on social media about a man who looked like Cruz at the Cancun airport and on the plane. Then several news outlets, including Fox News, the Associated Press and CNN, cited anonymous sources saying that Cruz had gone to a Mexican resort, although no further details were provided.
Amid speculation that Cruz could be pushed as the Republican presidential nominee in 2024, and in the wake of former President Donald Trump‘s (R) indefinite ban from Twitter, some prominent Democrats, and even Republicans, have been scathing about Cruz’s travel reports. Some Democrats said Cruz should resign.
Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, a Democrat who lost the 2018 U.S. Senate race in Texas to Cruz, said, “It’s my understanding that this man is on vacation in Cancun, and the people of Texas are almost freezing to death at this moment, when he was elected to supposedly represent those people and to serve those the people.”
O’Rourke previously accused Cruz of being responsible for the Jan. 6 mob attack on Congress and called for Cruz’s resignation. Cruz was challenging Arizona’s electoral votes during the Jan. 6 electoral vote, but he was beginning to speak and had not yet shown evidence when a violent attack on Congress occurred, disrupting the voting process.
Former congressman Allen West, chairman of the Texas Republican Party, replied to an Associated Press reporter about Cruz’s trip, saying, “This is something he (Cruz) has to answer to the voters. I’m staying here to take care of my family, to take care of my friends and other people who don’t have power”, West said, “and that’s my concern.”
Texas was without power for the fourth day in a row Thursday, and water supply has become a new problem after winter storms wreaked havoc on the state’s power grid, water supply and other utilities.
The snow has been dealt with, but Texas’ plumbing system is not resistant to freezing, and many places are having problems with frozen pipes, resulting in places where power has been restored but no water is available.
Texas officials have asked that local residents boil their tap water before drinking it.
Earlier this month, Cruz’s office dismissed calls for his resignation after he challenged Arizona’s electoral vote count during certification on Jan. 6.
“The left – and some of the crooks on the right – are consumed by partisan anger and fervor.” His office said at the Time that “Senator Cruz will continue to work for 29 million Texans in the Senate.”
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