Austin News

After a month of traveling across Texas and engaging with residents on pressing issues, I returned to Washington. This week, I attended the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring military personnel who died in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26, 2021, during U.S. evacuation operations. Among those honored was Marine Lance Cpl. David Lee Espinoza from Laredo, Texas, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal after being killed by a suicide bomber. At just 20 years old, he sacrificed his life for the nation’s safety and security. It was an honor to stand with colleagues in recognizing Lance Cpl. Espinoza and the twelve other heroes.

However, it is important not to overlook what has been described as the catastrophic Afghanistan withdrawal overseen by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Their leadership has been criticized for leading to the loss of thirteen American lives. Additionally, their border policies have come under scrutiny following tragic incidents such as the death of Jocelyn Nungaray from Houston. Jocelyn was murdered by two illegal aliens from Venezuela after crossing into the U.S.

Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, provided testimony to the House Judiciary Committee this week. Efforts are ongoing in Congress to pass the Justice for Jocelyn Act to prevent similar tragedies.

Senator Cruz called on the Senate to expedite passing this act following Alexis Nungaray's testimony.

The administration’s handling of border security is part of broader concerns about economic stagnation attributed to policies perceived as hostile towards American energy and job creation.

“Policies have consequences... We've had four years of them waging a war on energy combined with spending trillions of dollars we don’t have which has produced the inflation we have.”

Despite these challenges, Texans' resilience remains evident through various community engagements including discussions with pastors committed to defending truth and safeguarding freedoms.

Keep Texas Strong,

More from Sen. Cruz:

- Sen. Cruz calls on Newsmax: Biden-Harris weaponizing government

- Bipartisan Cruz-Cornyn-Kelly bill to expand Starr-Camargo Bridge heads to president’s desk

- Ted Cruz says Democrats taking short-term immigration risks for long-term gains

- Sen. Cruz releases statement on Nicaragua’s release of 135 political prisoners including 13 members of Texas-based Mountain Gateway

State Spotlight:

- Texas Tuesday with Team Cruz: Visit https://cruz.senate.gov/texas-tuesday-with-ted-and-staff for event sign-ups.

- Plains Cotton Growers / South Texas Cotton & Grain Association

- Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas

- South Texas Military Task Force

Commerce Corner:

- U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Coach Nick Saban, Dr. Charles McClelland (Commissioner), Southwestern Athletic Conference & Greg Byrne (Athletic Director), University of Alabama

- Sam Altman (CEO), OpenAI