35 trillion gallons of water have fallen on Texas, washing away hundreds of homes and killing dozens of people. This is a heartbreaking tragedy, destroying the communities where I grew up.
My homestate's junior U.S. senator, Ted Cruz, promised that federal help is on the way: "Democrats and Republicans... will stand as one in support of the federal government meeting its statutory obligations to provide the relief."
Ted Cruz isn't just a former Canadian citizen and corporate attorney - he's also a hypocrite. I agree that Texas needs federal aid - like any state after a devastating disaster. Local communities can't get through these massive tragedies alone, something I saw first-hand working in New Orleans after Hurrican Katrina. And yet, after another climate-linked storm - Hurricane Sandy - caused $68 billion in damage and killed 233 people, Cruz voted "no" on federal aid. He explained his mean-spirited vote by mocking those who supported assistance:
"This bill is symptomatic of a larger problem in Washington – an addiction to spending money we do not have. The Senate should not be in the business of exploiting victims of natural disasters to fund pork projects." He is also using these storms to double down on his misleading, unscientific views denying climate change.
Tell Ted Cruz: All Americans demand support from their government, not just Texans! Apologize for the hypocrisy and pledge support for federal disaster relief in the future!
Dear Senator Cruz,
You were right to tell a Wimberley audience that Democrats and Republicans should stand united in bringing federal assistance to these devastating floods. Our thoughts and prayers are with the flood victims of your great state.
But in 2012, you voted against providing similar relief to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, calling the bill nothing but pork projects that were "symptomatic of a larger problem in Washington."
This kind of hypocrisy is unbecoming of a U.S. senator, and calls your qualifications for the presidency into serious question. If you want American citizens to take you seriously, you must apologize for the hypocrisy at once and pledge your support for emergency disaster relief for all states!
[YOUR PERSONAL COMMENT HERE]
