Ted Cruz
Republican Presidential Candidate: Announcement March 23, 2015
Background Information:
Domestic Policy Advisor on the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign
Solicitor General for Texas 2003-08
Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law 2004-09
34th Senator from Texas: 2012-Present
Solicitor General
As Solicitor General, Cruz authored more than 80 Supreme Court briefs and argued 43 oral arguments - nine of which were before the Supreme Court. Cruz defended several landmark cases for Texas including:
U.S. sovereignty against the U.N. and the World Court in Medellin v. Texas
The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms
The constitutionality of the Texas Ten Commandments monument
The constitutionality of the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance
The constitutionality of the Texas Sexually Violent Predatory Civil Commitment Law
The Texas congressional redistricting plan
Senator
In Cruz’s three years in Congress, he has sponsored 97 bills and co-sponsored 177 bills. As Senator, Cruz is known for his policies and strong armed form of diplomacy. In 2013, Cruz sponsored the Defund Obama Care Act, which prohibited funds from being made available to carry out provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The showdown over the bill in Congress eventually led to a 15-day partial shutdown of the federal government after federal funding was tied to the passage of the bill. A move which many at the time believed would have hurt the Republican Party’s chances in 2014.
Where Ted Cruz Stands On Some Of The Top Issues
The Budget
He wants a Constitutional amendment requiring Congress to pass a balanced budget as a way to cut down deficits and debt.
Corporations
Make the corporate tax rate 15% and eliminate the Export-Import bank and federal subsidies on renewable fuels.
Common Core
Get rid of the Common Core education standards implemented by the federal government. Cruz has co-sponsored the Local Control of Education Act, which would allow states to opt-out without affecting their ability to receive federal money.
Immigration
Block any effort to allow illegal immigrants to remain in the country. Cruz filed a bill blocking President Obama’s actions allow undocumented immigrants to gain legal status. He argues those actions only encourage illegal immigration. He also attempted to pass a bill that would triple the amount of border patrol agents. However, it did not pass.
The Internet
Keep the Internet accessible to everyone, don’t tax it, and stop “net neutrality”. Cruz has vigorously opposed any federal, state, or local taxes for accessing the Internet. Experts say taxing access to the Internet could bring his state $358 million a year. He also opposes “net neutrality” which blocks Internet providers from charging different rates for different pieces of Internet content.
Social Issues
He believes only the four states specifically mentioned in the recent Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage have to follow the ruling. He believes the states should be able to define marriage. He also believes there should be set limits on abortion, and he opposes taxpayer funding of abortion.
Cruz also wants to abolish lifetime appointments to the court and require justices to be elected periodically.
Taxes
Ted Cruz wants to implement a flat tax for all Americans, a single tax rate, regardless of income. He believes that this simpler tax code would eliminate the need for the IRS and wants to get rid of the agency.
Iran
Increase and toughen sanctions. Cruz also wants to cease negotiations with Iran until Congress approves the outlines of a deal.
ISIS
Don’t send American forces yet. Cruz said the U.S. should wait to see if the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters can fight ISIS and that the U.S. should provide arms to the Peshmerga. However, if they are unable to combat ISIS he believes the U.S. send troops.
The Campaign
Sen. Ted Crud announced his intentions to run for president of March, 23 making him the first candidate in the 2016 presidential race. So far his campaign has raised more than $14 million. Currently Ted Cruz only polls at 4% among Republican voters, while that number is not in the double digits it still places him among the top ten Republican candidates and means he could be in the first debate.
One of his biggest obstacles in winning the nomination is his strong armed form of diplomacy and what some see as his radical views. Many Democratic voters strongly disagree with far-right views. And members of his party don’t look at him too favorably as they place blame on him for the government shutdown in 2013.
Republican Presidential Candidate: Announcement March 23, 2015
Background Information:
Domestic Policy Advisor on the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign
Solicitor General for Texas 2003-08
Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law 2004-09
34th Senator from Texas: 2012-Present
Solicitor General
As Solicitor General, Cruz authored more than 80 Supreme Court briefs and argued 43 oral arguments - nine of which were before the Supreme Court. Cruz defended several landmark cases for Texas including:
U.S. sovereignty against the U.N. and the World Court in Medellin v. Texas
The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms
The constitutionality of the Texas Ten Commandments monument
The constitutionality of the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance
The constitutionality of the Texas Sexually Violent Predatory Civil Commitment Law
The Texas congressional redistricting plan
Senator
In Cruz’s three years in Congress, he has sponsored 97 bills and co-sponsored 177 bills. As Senator, Cruz is known for his policies and strong armed form of diplomacy. In 2013, Cruz sponsored the Defund Obama Care Act, which prohibited funds from being made available to carry out provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The showdown over the bill in Congress eventually led to a 15-day partial shutdown of the federal government after federal funding was tied to the passage of the bill. A move which many at the time believed would have hurt the Republican Party’s chances in 2014.
Where Ted Cruz Stands On Some Of The Top Issues
The Budget
He wants a Constitutional amendment requiring Congress to pass a balanced budget as a way to cut down deficits and debt.
Corporations
Make the corporate tax rate 15% and eliminate the Export-Import bank and federal subsidies on renewable fuels.
Common Core
Get rid of the Common Core education standards implemented by the federal government. Cruz has co-sponsored the Local Control of Education Act, which would allow states to opt-out without affecting their ability to receive federal money.
Immigration
Block any effort to allow illegal immigrants to remain in the country. Cruz filed a bill blocking President Obama’s actions allow undocumented immigrants to gain legal status. He argues those actions only encourage illegal immigration. He also attempted to pass a bill that would triple the amount of border patrol agents. However, it did not pass.
The Internet
Keep the Internet accessible to everyone, don’t tax it, and stop “net neutrality”. Cruz has vigorously opposed any federal, state, or local taxes for accessing the Internet. Experts say taxing access to the Internet could bring his state $358 million a year. He also opposes “net neutrality” which blocks Internet providers from charging different rates for different pieces of Internet content.
Social Issues
He believes only the four states specifically mentioned in the recent Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage have to follow the ruling. He believes the states should be able to define marriage. He also believes there should be set limits on abortion, and he opposes taxpayer funding of abortion.
Cruz also wants to abolish lifetime appointments to the court and require justices to be elected periodically.
Taxes
Ted Cruz wants to implement a flat tax for all Americans, a single tax rate, regardless of income. He believes that this simpler tax code would eliminate the need for the IRS and wants to get rid of the agency.
Iran
Increase and toughen sanctions. Cruz also wants to cease negotiations with Iran until Congress approves the outlines of a deal.
ISIS
Don’t send American forces yet. Cruz said the U.S. should wait to see if the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters can fight ISIS and that the U.S. should provide arms to the Peshmerga. However, if they are unable to combat ISIS he believes the U.S. send troops.
The Campaign
Sen. Ted Crud announced his intentions to run for president of March, 23 making him the first candidate in the 2016 presidential race. So far his campaign has raised more than $14 million. Currently Ted Cruz only polls at 4% among Republican voters, while that number is not in the double digits it still places him among the top ten Republican candidates and means he could be in the first debate.
One of his biggest obstacles in winning the nomination is his strong armed form of diplomacy and what some see as his radical views. Many Democratic voters strongly disagree with far-right views. And members of his party don’t look at him too favorably as they place blame on him for the government shutdown in 2013.