Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas on Sunday struggled to explain why he is running for a third term despite supporting a two-term Senate limit bill that he introduced last month.
The new bill would limit senators to only two six-year terms, and Cruz said he could run for a third term because his proposal still needs to be signed into law. During an interview, the Texas Republican was pressed on the issue of why he is not holding himself to the standard he put forth.
Ted Cruz on Senate Term Limits
Before mentioning his proposed legislation, Cruz claims to be a "passionate defender" of term limits. He said that Congress would work much better if senators only get two terms, and House representatives get three terms.
When his supposed hypocrisy was pointed out, the GOP member shifted a stance, saying that he would follow the limits of his bill, but only once it became law. The lawmaker said, "If and when it passes, I will happily, happily comply. I've never said I'm going to comply unilaterally," as per Rolling Stone. The lawmaker did not address the question when asked if Cruz was planning on another presidential campaign run in the 2024 election. When asked for a second time about his presidential aspirations, the GOP member reiterated the senatorial campaign he had confirmed when he appeared at a Republican gathering in November.
When the Texas Republican announced his proposal, he said that the Founding Fathers envisioned a government of legislators who would only serve for a few years. He said they did not want a government run by a small group of special interests and lifelong, permanently entrenched politicians.
Since being elected to the United States Senate in 2012, Cruz has experienced his fair share of criticisms. Most recently, he was called out last month for opposing reactions to classified documents found at former Vice President Mike Pence's and President Joe Biden's homes.
During a program hosted by former director of the National Economic Council Larry Kudlow, Cruz said that the FBI should search the homes of Biden and his son Hunter. However, he argued that the former vice president should be spared from the same treatment, according to the Independent.
Holding to the Standard
Also, the Texas Republican said he would not apologize for supporting conspiracy theories about the attack on Paul Pelosi. This was after video footage of the incident was released to the public that showed the assault on the victim.
Cruz also quote-tweeted conservative media figure Matt Walsh when the latter said that he knew that trying to paint a hippie nudist from Berkeley as some military right-winger is and always will be outrageous. The Republican senator retweeted the post with the caption, "truth."
Now, Cruz's term limit proposal, which he introduced along with Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, would offer "accountability that is long overdue." He added that term limits are the key to fixing what is currently wrong with Washington, said Business Insider.
Related Article: House GOP Remove Ilhan Omar From Foreign Affairs Panel
