History of Ted Cruz in Timeline
Rafael Edward Cruz is an American politician, attorney, and political commentator. He has been serving as the junior United States senator from Texas since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, Cruz also held the position of solicitor general of Texas from 2003 to 2008.
1957: Rafael Cruz Leaves Cuba
In 1957, Rafael Cruz, Ted Cruz's father, left Cuba to attend the University of Texas at Austin. He later obtained political asylum in the United States.
December 22, 1970: Birth of Ted Cruz
Rafael Edward Cruz was born on December 22, 1970. Known as Ted Cruz, he later became an American politician, attorney, and political commentator, serving as the junior United States senator from Texas since 2013.
1973: Rafael Cruz Gains Canadian Citizenship
In 1973, Rafael Cruz, Ted Cruz's father, became a Canadian citizen.
1974: Family Moves to Texas
In 1974, Ted Cruz's family relocated to Houston, Texas after reconciling following his father's move earlier that year.
1988: Graduated High School as Valedictorian
In 1988, Ted Cruz graduated as valedictorian from Second Baptist High School in Houston. He was also involved in the Free Market Education Foundation during his high school years.
1992: Princeton Debate Achievements
In 1992, while at Princeton University, Ted Cruz won the top speaker award at the U.S. National Debating Championship and the North American Debating Championship. He was also named U.S. National Speaker of the Year and his team won Team of the Year.
1995: Clerkship with Judge J. Michael Luttig
In 1995, Ted Cruz began a clerkship for Judge J. Michael Luttig of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
1995: Graduated from Harvard Law School
In 1995, Ted Cruz graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. He was also a John M. Olin Fellow in Law and Economics and held various editorial positions in major law journals.
1995: World Debating Championship
In 1995, Ted Cruz represented Harvard Law School at the World Debating Championship, reaching the semifinals.
1996: Clerkship with Chief Justice Rehnquist
In 1996, Ted Cruz served as a law clerk for Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court.
1997: Michael Wayne Haley Case
In 1997, Michael Wayne Haley was arrested for stealing a calculator and was sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison under the Texas habitual offender law. As Solicitor General, Ted Cruz declined to vacate Haley's sentence, but the Supreme Court later remanded the case. Haley was eventually re-sentenced to 'time served.'
1997: Joined Private Practice
In 1997, Ted Cruz began working at the law firm Cooper, Carvin & Rosenthal (now Cooper & Kirk, PLLC) as an associate.
1997: End of Clerkship with Chief Justice Rehnquist
In 1997, Ted Cruz ended his clerkship with Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court.
1997: Parents' Divorce
In 1997, Ted Cruz's parents divorced after years of marriage.
1998: Represented John Boehner
In 1998, Ted Cruz was briefly one of the attorneys representing Representative John Boehner in a legal case against Representative Jim McDermott over an alleged illegal recording leak.
1999: Joined George W. Bush Campaign
In 1999, Ted Cruz joined the George W. Bush presidential campaign as a domestic policy adviser, covering a range of policy and legal matters.
2000: Role in Bush v. Gore Case
In 2000, during the Florida presidential recounts, Ted Cruz played a significant role in assembling the Bush legal team and drafting pleadings for the Bush v. Gore case.
2003: Defended Texas Redistricting Plan
In 2003, Ted Cruz served as lead counsel for the state in defending the 2003 Texas congressional redistricting plan. The case, League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry, was decided in his favor by the U.S. Supreme Court.
2003: Appointed Solicitor General of Texas
In 2003, Ted Cruz was appointed as the Solicitor General of Texas by Attorney General Greg Abbott. He held this position until 2008.
2003: Appointed as Texas Solicitor General
In 2003, Ted Cruz was appointed as the solicitor general of Texas by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. Cruz was brought on to take a leadership role in articulating a vision of strict constructionism. During his tenure, Cruz argued before the U.S. Supreme Court nine times, winning five cases and losing four. He also authored 70 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and presented 34 appellate oral arguments.
2003: Declined to Defend Texas Sodomy Law
In 2003, while serving as Texas Solicitor General, Ted Cruz was involved when the Texas Attorney General's office declined to defend Texas's sodomy law in the landmark case Lawrence v. Texas. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled state laws banning homosexual sex unconstitutional.
2004: Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow
In 2004, Ted Cruz was involved in the high-profile case Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow, which challenged the constitutionality of requiring students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Cruz wrote a brief on behalf of all 50 states, and the Supreme Court upheld his position.
2005: Rafael Cruz Becomes U.S. Citizen
In 2005, Rafael Cruz, Ted Cruz's father, became a naturalized United States citizen.
2005: Trump's 2005 audio recording controversy
In 2005, after an audio recording of Trump was released and several Republicans retracted their endorsements, Ted Cruz reaffirmed his support, criticizing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton as 'manifestly unfit to be president.'
2008: Named One of the 50 Best Litigators Under 45
In 2008, American Lawyer magazine named Ted Cruz one of the 50 Best Litigators under 45 in America. The National Law Journal also named him one of the 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America.
2008: Medellín v. Texas case
In 2008, Ted Cruz played a crucial role as counsel for the State of Texas in the Medellín v. Texas case, where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Texas could ignore an order from the International Court of Justice.
2008: Joined Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
In 2008, after leaving his position as Solicitor General, Ted Cruz joined the Houston office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, where he led the firm's U.S. Supreme Court and national appellate litigation practice.
2008: End of Solicitor General Tenure
Ted Cruz ended his tenure as the Solicitor General of Texas in 2008, a position he had held since 2003.
2010: Cruz Criticizes Affordable Care Act
In 2010, Ted Cruz was a vocal critic of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed under President Obama. He opposed the legislation and sought its repeal.
January 19, 2011: Launched Senate Campaign
On January 19, 2011, Ted Cruz launched his campaign for U.S. Senate after Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced she would not seek reelection. Cruz received endorsements from several prominent figures and organizations during his campaign.
2011: Sister's Death
In 2011, Ted Cruz's half-sister, Miriam Ceferina Cruz, died from a drug overdose.
2012: Won 2012 Republican Primary
In 2012, Ted Cruz ran as a Tea Party candidate in the Republican primary and achieved what The Washington Post called 'the biggest upset of 2012,' marking a true grassroots victory against long odds.
2012: Elected to U.S. Senate
In 2012, Ted Cruz was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Hispanic-American to serve as a U.S. senator from Texas.
2012: Failed to Disclose Financial Relationship
In 2012, Time magazine reported that Ted Cruz might have violated ethics rules by failing to disclose his financial relationship with Caribbean Equity Partners Investment Holdings. Cruz stated that the failure to disclose was inadvertent.
2012: Medellín v. Texas case mention in Senate campaign
In his 2012 Senate campaign, Ted Cruz frequently mentioned his role in the Medellín v. Texas case, which he called the most important of his tenure as Texas solicitor general.
2012: Campaign contributions from fossil fuel interests
Since 2012, Ted Cruz has received over $2.5 million in campaign contributions from oil, gas, and coal interests, earning a lifetime score of 3% on the National Environmental Scorecard.
March 14, 2013: Cruz Keynote at CPAC
On March 14, 2013, Ted Cruz gave the keynote speech at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington DC. This appearance marked a significant step as he was widely expected to run for the presidency in 2016.
March 2013: McCain Criticizes Cruz's Rhetoric
In March 2013, Senator John McCain referred to Ted Cruz and others as "wacko birds" for their extreme views, highlighting internal conflicts within the Republican Party.
October 2013: Cruz Wins Values Voter Summit Straw Poll
In October 2013, Ted Cruz won the Values Voter Summit presidential straw poll with 42% of the vote, showcasing his appeal among conservative voters.
2013: Cruz Lays Groundwork for 2016 Bid
In mid-2013, Cruz did speaking events across Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, early primary states, leading to further speculation that he was preparing for a 2016 presidential bid.
2013: Vote against the Water Resources Development Act
In 2013, Ted Cruz voted against the Water Resources Development Act, which aimed to create the National Endowment for the Oceans and authorize over $26 billion in projects, citing concerns about project backlogs and state participation.
2013: Cruz Votes Against Hurricane Sandy Aid Bill
In 2013, Ted Cruz voted against a bill to provide federal aid for Hurricane Sandy recovery, claiming it was filled with unrelated spending. This stance was disputed by various media outlets, which argued that most of the bill was aimed at dealing with Sandy and future disasters.
2013: Stance on Syrian Civil War
In 2013, Ted Cruz stated that the U.S. had no 'dog in the fight' during the Syrian Civil War and opposed U.S. intervention, cautioning against serving as 'al-Qaeda's air force.'
2013: Advocacy for flat tax and IRS abolition
In 2013, Ted Cruz proposed the abolition of the IRS and the implementation of a flat tax system, opposing a higher minimum wage and advocating for simplified tax processes.
2013: Leading Role in 2013 Government Shutdown
In 2013, Ted Cruz played a significant role in the United States federal government shutdown by giving a 21-hour Senate speech in an attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act. This move, while popular among supporters, was criticized by some colleagues as ineffective.
2013: Role in Government Shutdown
In 2013, Ted Cruz played a leading role in the United States federal government shutdown, aiming to force Congress and President Barack Obama to defund the Affordable Care Act.
2013: Ted Cruz Becomes U.S. Senator
In 2013, Ted Cruz began serving as the junior United States senator from Texas. This marked the start of his tenure in the U.S. Senate, representing the Republican Party.
April 1, 2014: Cruz Introduces Visa Denial Bill
On April 1, 2014, Ted Cruz introduced a bill (S. 2195) allowing the U.S. president to deny visas to UN ambassadors involved in espionage or terrorism. The bill aimed to prevent Iran's Hamid Aboutalebi, linked to the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, from entering the U.S.
April 12, 2014: Cruz Speaks at Freedom Summit
On April 12, 2014, Ted Cruz spoke at the Freedom Summit, emphasizing the Republican Party's need to make outreach efforts to Latinos, young people, and single mothers, who were most affected by the recession.
April 18, 2014: Cruz Thanks Obama for Signing S. 2195
On April 18, 2014, Ted Cruz publicly thanked President Obama for signing S. 2195 into law, which allowed the denial of visas to UN ambassadors involved in espionage or terrorism.
May 14, 2014: Cruz Renounces Canadian Citizenship
On May 14, 2014, Ted Cruz formally renounced his Canadian citizenship, following the revelation in August 2013 that he held dual Canadian-American citizenship.
November 2014: Cruz Accuses Obama of Constitutional Destruction
In November 2014, Ted Cruz accused President Obama of attempting to destroy the Constitution in a Senate speech, invoking the speeches of Roman senator Cicero. This rhetoric was criticized as dangerous by scholars and commentators.
December 2014: Criticism of U.S.-Cuba rapprochement
In December 2014, Ted Cruz criticized the rapprochement between Cuba and the United States, calling it a 'manifestation of the failures of the Obama-Clinton-Kerry foreign policy' and 'a tragic mistake.'
2014: Criticism of Obama administration's handling of ISIS
In 2014, Ted Cruz criticized the Obama administration for missing the threat of ISIS and arming Syrian rebels, whom he claimed were fighting alongside ISIS, calling ISIS 'the face of evil.'
2014: Opinion editorial on auditing the Federal Reserve
In 2014, Ted Cruz wrote an opinion editorial in USA Today, stating that auditing the Federal Reserve System was a top Republican priority and supporting legislation for the Government Accountability Office to evaluate its monetary policy.
2014: Cruz Takes Hardline Immigration Stance During Border Crisis
In 2014, during the border crisis, Ted Cruz took a hardline stance on immigration issues and opposed comprehensive immigration reform. He advocated for increasing the number of skilled foreign workers entering the U.S. using H-1B visas.
January 2015: Cruz Delivers State of the Union Response
In January 2015, Ted Cruz delivered one of many responses to the State of the Union address, highlighting his role in national politics.
March 2015: Rejection of climate change consensus
In March 2015, Ted Cruz rejected the scientific consensus on climate change, citing satellite measurements and contradicting NASA's analysis, stating there had been no significant warming in 18 years.
March 23, 2015: Announced Presidential Run
On March 23, 2015, Ted Cruz announced his candidacy for president. Despite being a relatively new senator, he became a serious contender in the Republican primaries.
June 2015: Cruz on His Reputation for Few Allies
In June 2015, Ted Cruz expressed pride in his reputation for having few allies in the Senate, emphasizing his stance against what he calls the "Washington cartel."
June 30, 2015: Publication of Cruz's Book
On June 30, 2015, HarperCollins published Ted Cruz's book, 'A Time for Truth: Reigniting the Promise of America.' The book quickly reached bestseller lists, highlighting Cruz's influence and popularity.
July 2015: Cruz Accuses McConnell of Lying
In a heated Senate floor speech in July 2015, Ted Cruz accused Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of lying about his intentions to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, drawing condemnation from senior Republican senators.
August 2015: Response to the ambush death of a Texas police officer
In August 2015, following the ambush death of a Texas police officer, Ted Cruz criticized senior officials, including the President and the Attorney General, for vilifying law enforcement, which he said endangered public safety.
September 2015: Cruz on Boehner's Resignation
When John Boehner resigned from the House in September 2015, Ted Cruz expressed concern that Boehner might have made a deal with Nancy Pelosi to fund the Obama administration for the rest of its tenure.
2015: Support for auditing the Federal Reserve
In 2015, Ted Cruz supported legislation allowing the Government Accountability Office to audit the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, a stance opposed by Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen.
2015: Opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement
In 2015, Ted Cruz vehemently opposed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an international nuclear agreement with Iran, calling it 'catastrophic' and 'disastrous.'
2015: Cruz Criticizes Iran Nuclear Agreement
In 2015, Ted Cruz criticized the international nuclear agreement with Iran, claiming it made the Obama administration a financier of terrorism. President Obama and other figures criticized Cruz's statements as irresponsible.
2015: Vote for the USA Freedom Act
In 2015, Ted Cruz voted for the USA Freedom Act, which reauthorized the USA Patriot Act while reforming some of its provisions.
2015: Cruz Supports Federal Aid for Texas Flooding
In 2015, following severe flooding in Texas, Ted Cruz supported federal aid funding to assist with the recovery efforts.
January 2016: Failed to Report Loans
In January 2016, The New York Times reported that Ted Cruz and his wife had taken out nearly $1 million in low-interest loans from Goldman Sachs and Citibank, which were not reported on Federal Election Commission disclosure statements. Cruz stated the omission was inadvertent and later filed supplementary paperwork.
February 1, 2016: Cruz Wins Iowa Caucuses
On February 1, 2016, Ted Cruz won the Iowa caucuses with 28% of the vote, making him the first Hispanic to win a presidential primary election or caucus.
February 2016: Illinois Board of Elections Rules in Cruz's Favor
In February 2016, the Illinois Board of Elections ruled in Ted Cruz's favor regarding his natural-born citizenship status, stating that he was eligible to run for U.S. president despite being born in Canada.
March 1, 2016: Super Tuesday Victories
On March 1, 2016, Super Tuesday, Ted Cruz won the Texas primary by 17%, along with victories in Alaska and Oklahoma. This provided him with four state primary wins overall.
March 8, 2016: Cruz Wins Idaho Primary
On March 8, 2016, Ted Cruz won the Idaho primary with 45% of the vote, defeating Donald Trump by 17%. This marked Cruz's seventh statewide victory.
March 2016: Cruz Argues Against Considering Obama's Supreme Court Nominee
In March 2016, Ted Cruz argued that the Senate should not consider President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, suggesting that the decision should be left to the upcoming election. He stated that Democrats would need to win the election to replace the nominee.
April 6, 2016: Cruz Wins Wisconsin Primary
On April 6, 2016, Ted Cruz won the Wisconsin primary with 48.2% of the vote, securing 36 of the 42 delegates available. This win marked his tenth statewide victory.
June 2016: Cruz Comments on Orlando Shooting and Obama Administration
In June 2016, Ted Cruz blamed the Obama administration for the Orlando nightclub shooting, arguing it failed to properly track the shooter. He also criticized the administration after the Nice terrorist attack and Fidel Castro's death.
September 2016: Support for arms sale to Saudi Arabia
In September 2016, Ted Cruz supported the Obama administration's plan to sell over $1.15 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia.
September 23, 2016: Cruz Endorses Trump for President
On September 23, 2016, Ted Cruz publicly endorsed Donald Trump for president, despite previously refusing to do so at the Republican National Convention.
2016: Cruz Criticizes and Later Supports Trump
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Ted Cruz was one of Donald Trump's most vocal critics. Despite this, he later became a significant ally of Trump in the Senate.
2016: Cruz's Hard-Right Immigration Stances During Presidential Campaign
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Ted Cruz took hard-right stances on immigration, including opposing paths to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and advocating for increased H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers.
2016: Boehner and Graham's Harsh Comments on Cruz
During the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, John Boehner called Ted Cruz "Lucifer in the flesh" and Lindsey Graham remarked that no one would convict if someone killed Cruz on the Senate floor, underscoring his contentious relationships.
2016: Cruz Announces Presidential Run
On March 23, 2015, Ted Cruz announced his 2016 presidential campaign for the Republican primaries and caucuses, becoming the first major Republican candidate to enter the race. He aimed to appeal to social conservatives and libertarian conservatives.
2016: Cruz Addresses Republican National Convention
On July 7, 2016, after a meeting with Donald Trump, Ted Cruz confirmed that he would speak at the Republican National Convention. During his speech on July 20, he congratulated Trump but did not endorse him, telling listeners to vote their conscience. The speech was met with boos.
2016: Cruz's Performance in Republican Primaries
In the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Ted Cruz received over 7.8 million votes, won 12 states, and earned 559 delegates. His campaign raised nearly $92 million, a record amount for a Republican primary candidate.
2016: Cruz's 2016 Presidential Campaign Criticized
In 2016, the Texas Democratic Party and others called for Ted Cruz's resignation, accusing him of empowering Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol and calling for an investigation into his actions.
January 5, 2017: Vote condemning UN Security Council Resolution 2334
On January 5, 2017, Ted Cruz voted in favor of a House resolution condemning UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which criticized Israeli settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories.
January 2017: Cruz Praises Gorsuch and Supports Trump's Actions
In January 2017, Ted Cruz praised Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch and supported various actions by President Trump, including military intervention in Syria.
January 2017: Meeting with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen
In January 2017, Ted Cruz, along with Texas governor Greg Abbott and others, met with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, criticizing the People's Republic of China for objecting to the meeting.
March 2017: Cruz Criticizes Budget Agreement
In March 2017, Ted Cruz called the House-passed budget agreement, which lifted the debt ceiling, a "complete and utter surrender," reflecting his criticism of bipartisan cooperation.
June 2017: Cruz Co-Sponsors Israel Anti-Boycott Act
In June 2017, Ted Cruz co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (s. 720), which aimed to make it a federal crime for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the West Bank if protesting actions by the Israeli government.
December 2017: Cruz Opposes Net Neutrality
In December 2017, Ted Cruz opposed net neutrality, arguing that it stifled innovation and freedom for American consumers. Following the repeal of net neutrality by the FCC, Cruz mocked its supporters as 'snowflakes' misled by 'online propaganda'.
2017: Cruz Sponsors Legislation to Repeal Obamacare
In 2017, during the first year of Trump's presidency, Ted Cruz sponsored legislation to repeal the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. He was also part of a group of 13 senators that drafted unsuccessful replacement proposals for the Affordable Care Act.
2017: Urging withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
In 2017, Ted Cruz was one of 22 senators who signed a letter urging President Trump to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, reflecting his stance on climate policy.
2017: Cruz Calls for Federal Intervention During Hurricane Harvey
In 2017, as Hurricane Harvey approached the coast of Texas, Ted Cruz called for federal intervention to assist with the impending disaster.
February 2018: Cruz Opposes Motion to Debate DREAMers Legislation
In February 2018, Ted Cruz was the sole senator to oppose a Republican motion to begin debate on legislation intended to resolve the status of DREAMers, undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. He also called for the repeal of the 14th amendment clause granting citizenship to those born in the U.S.
March 6, 2018: Won 2018 Republican Primary
On March 6, 2018, Ted Cruz ran for reelection to a second term in the U.S. Senate and easily won the Republican nomination with over 80% of the vote.
April 2018: Cruz Praises Trump in Time 100 Entry
In April 2018, Ted Cruz wrote an entry for Time magazine's 100 most influential people list, praising President Trump for disrupting the status quo. This authorship faced criticism from various commentators.
July 2018: Rally for Religious Freedom in Asia
In July 2018, Ted Cruz spoke at the Rally for Religious Freedom in Asia, expressing solidarity with those persecuted by communists and highlighting the importance of standing united against such oppression.
August 2018: Cruz Urges Sanctions Against Chinese Officials
In August 2018, Ted Cruz and 16 other lawmakers urged the Trump administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang. They highlighted the detention of as many as a million or more Uyghurs in 'political reeducation' centers.
November 6, 2018: Cruz Defeats Beto O'Rourke in Senate Election
On November 6, 2018, Ted Cruz narrowly defeated Democratic nominee Beto O'Rourke in the U.S. Senate election in Texas, winning by a margin of 50.9% to 48.3%. This election was notably competitive and became the most expensive U.S. Senate election in history up to that point.
November 2018: Cruz's Legislative Contributions
As of November 2018, Ted Cruz had sponsored 105 bills of his own, showcasing his active participation in legislative processes.
2018: Reelection to U.S. Senate
In 2018, Ted Cruz was reelected to the U.S. Senate in a close race against Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke.
December 2019: Cruz Warns Nord Stream 2 Contractors of Sanctions
In December 2019, Ted Cruz and Senator Ron Johnson wrote a letter to Edward Heerema, owner of the offshore pipe layer Allseas, warning of sanctions if work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was not suspended. Shortly after, Allseas suspended its work.
September 2020: Cruz Declines Supreme Court Consideration
In September 2020, Ted Cruz was included on Trump's shortlist for a potential Supreme Court appointment but declined consideration for the position.
September 2020: Cruz Supports Immediate Vote on Trump's Supreme Court Nominee
In September 2020, Ted Cruz supported an immediate vote on President Trump's nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy caused by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death, despite having opposed a similar situation in 2016.
December 2020: Russian Pipelaying Ship Continues Nord Stream 2 Work
In December 2020, the Russian pipelaying ship Akademik Cherskiy continued work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, despite earlier warnings from Ted Cruz and others about possible sanctions.
December 2020: Cruz Blocks Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act
In December 2020, Ted Cruz blocked the Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act, which would have given Hong Kongers refugee status. He cited the threat of Chinese spying and accused Democrats of using the law to advance their immigration goals.
2020: Cruz Backs Failed Supreme Court Appeal
In 2020, Ted Cruz supported a failed appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the presidential election results in Pennsylvania, citing baseless allegations of voter fraud.
2020: Cruz Leads Effort to Challenge Election Results
In 2020, Ted Cruz led an effort to refuse to count Pennsylvania's Electoral College votes, citing baseless allegations of fraud, and faced criticism for his role in challenging the election results.
2020: Cruz Agrees to Argue Paxton's Suit
In 2020, Ted Cruz agreed to argue a suit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton seeking to nullify election results in four states, a plan which ultimately did not come before the Court.
January 6, 2021: Cruz Speaks on Election Rigging Claims
On January 6, 2021, Ted Cruz stated during the debate on Arizona's electoral votes that 39% of Americans believed the 2020 presidential election was rigged, though this number was disputed.
January 2021: Backlash for Election Stance
In January 2021, Ted Cruz faced widespread backlash for objecting to the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election, supporting the false claim of election fraud.
February 2021: Cruz Flees to Cancún During Winter Storm
In February 2021, during a historic winter storm that left millions of Texas residents without power and drinking water, Ted Cruz and his family were spotted on a plane heading to Cancún, Mexico. This move was widely criticized as Cruz attempted to escape the harsh conditions in Texas. He even requested that the Houston police escort him and his family through the airport.
May 2021: Cruz Falsely Asserts Claims About For The People Act
During a May 2021 Senate Rules Committee hearing, Ted Cruz falsely claimed that the For The People Act was designed to register millions of ineligible voters, including non-U.S. citizens. The bill explicitly stated that only U.S. citizens would be permitted to register.
May 28, 2021: Cruz Votes Against Riot Commission
On May 28, 2021, Ted Cruz voted against creating an independent commission to investigate the Capitol riot and later faced criticism for calling the event a "violent terrorist attack," which he apologized for on Fox News.
June 4, 2021: Putin Announces Completion of Nord Stream 2 First Line
On June 4, 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the pipelaying for the first line of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline was fully completed. This came after Ted Cruz and Senator Ron Johnson had previously warned the project's contractors of sanctions.
September 2021: Completion of Nord Stream 2 Second Line
In September 2021, the laying of the second line of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline was completed, marking the final phase of the project which Ted Cruz had long opposed due to security concerns.
October 2021: Cruz Criticizes Australia's Vaccine Mandates
In October 2021, Ted Cruz posted a tweet criticizing Australia's Northern Territory's vaccine mandates. The response from Chief Minister Michael Gunner went viral and received widespread support from Australians.
May 2022: Response to Robb Elementary School shooting
In May 2022, after the Robb Elementary School shooting, Ted Cruz blamed mass shootings on factors such as declining church attendance, violent video games, prescription drugs, cyberbullying, and social isolation.
2022: Cruz Criticizes Chinese Government Over Detention of Mark Swidan
In 2022, Ted Cruz sharply criticized the Chinese government for its detention of Houston resident Mark Swidan, who had been held for over ten years. Both the United Nations and U.S. government consider Swidan wrongfully detained.
2023: Vote against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
In 2023, Ted Cruz was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, showcasing his stance on fiscal policies.
2024: Running for Senate Reelection
Ted Cruz is running for reelection to the Senate in 2024 against Democratic nominee Colin Allred and other third-party candidates.