Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, visited Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Tuesday to discuss the impact of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. During his visit, Sen. Cruz also highlighted his new legislation, the IVF Protection Act.

In an interview with CBS Austin, Sen. Cruz emphasized the significance of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 for Texas airports. The bill, recently signed by President Biden, allocates $4 billion to airports nationwide, including nearly $2 million annually for infrastructure projects at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). The funding aims to address staffing shortages and enhance runway safety.

“The first priority for aviation has to be safety," said Sen. Cruz. "The most important thing is that we land safely.”

The legislation mandates that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hire additional air traffic controllers to mitigate ongoing staffing shortages and invests in technology designed to prevent accidents.

“We’re here at Austin Bergstrom airport. As you know, last February there was a near miss that was really frightening,” Sen. Cruz added.

In addition to discussing aviation safety measures, Sen. Cruz addressed his legislative efforts regarding in vitro fertilization (IVF). He is leading efforts alongside Senator Katie Britt to protect access to IVF across the nation through the IVF Protection Act.

“It’s brought hope it’s brought love to so many families," he said.

Introduced last week, this legislation would make states ineligible for Medicaid funding if they ban access to IVF procedures.

“It’s to put into federal law an ironclad protection so that parents if you choose to use the technology of IVF to have a family, you can rest assured knowing that right’s going to be protected,” he explained.

The push for federal protections comes as state courts and lawmakers grapple with how IVF fits into post-Roe v Wade legal landscapes. Notably, Texas is considering a case with potential implications for IVF access within its jurisdiction.

When asked about reconciling his support for Texas' abortion ban with advocating for women's rights concerning IVF procedures, Sen. Cruz responded: "I don’t think so at all. I am strongly pro-life. I also believe in the rights of voters to make determinations on contested issues.”

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