Austin News

On May 31, 2024, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to grant certiorari in Estados Unidos Mexicanos v. Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. Several senators joined Sen. Cruz’s brief, including Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Additionally, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.-48) led 13 House Members in supporting Sen. Cruz’s brief.

Senator Cruz stated, “Mexico is trying to impose its own interpretation of American law on American businesses, and in the process, erode American sovereignty and threaten the Second Amendment... The Supreme Court should defend our Constitution and American sovereignty by taking this appeal and unanimously reversing the First Circuit’s disastrous decision.”

Senator Blackburn commented, “The pervasive human, drug, and weapons trafficking organized by cartels is a direct result of Mexico’s failure to enforce law and order... I urge the Supreme Court to reverse the First Circuit’s decision.”

Senator Budd added, “I am glad to join Senator Cruz in urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of protecting American sovereignty and the Second Amendment... Instead of punishing law-abiding American businesses, the corruption in Mexico could be stopped by targeting the criminal cartels who are getting rich off illicit drug sales and human trafficking.”

Senator Cornyn remarked,“By suing American firearm manufacturers, Mexico is skirting U.S. law and attempting to hijack our courts to subject American citizens and companies to Mexican law...”

Senator Cramer stated, “The right to keep and bear arms is not merely a policy preference but a bedrock of American freedom... This is a brazen attempt by the Mexican government to hold U.S. gun manufacturers liable for violent atrocities committed by drug cartels...”

Senator Mike Lee said, “It is vitally important that the Supreme Court stand up for the Second Amendment rights of Americans... No foreign country should be able to interfere with the US Constitution.”

Senator Marshall noted, “Mexico’s attempt to hijack our courts is a slap in the face to the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution...”

Senator Tillis stated,“The Supreme Court must act to overturn the First Circuit’s decision and protect American sovereignty from this blatant political stunt from Mexico...”

When heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit previously, Sen. Cruz led an amicus brief defending American sovereignty joined by Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), as well as 35 members of Congress.