Ted Cruz pushes for security escorts for lawmakers in airports, gets slammed

Texas Republican Ted Cruz, who infamously went to Cancun, Mexico, during one of the deadliest storms in the State, wants security escorts to follow lawmakers in airports. This did not sit well with social media users.

Cruz’s proposed amendment

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Politico reported that Cruz proposed a bill amendment allowing lawmakers to gain security access and be screened immediately. The amendment would also apply to federal judges, Cabinet members, and their travel companions.

Cruz explained his proposed amendment

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The Texas Senator told Politico that the draft of the proposal only includes lawmakers who are presently or were previously “the subject of a threat.” Cruz added, “It’s important that we take reasonable measures to keep everyone safe.”

“Burden to airport police agencies”

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According to Kevin Murphy, executive director of the Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network, Cruz’s proposed amendment would ” burden airport police agencies.” Murphy thinks that lawmakers should rely on federal law enforcement instead.

Increase in threats

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The Capitol Police investigated over 8000 threats in 2023. In a press release, USCP Assistant Chief of Protective and Intelligence Operations Ashan M. Benedict predicted that the election year will be even more challenging, “this is going to be a very busy year for our special agents.”

Cruz faces backlash

USA, Carson City: Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) delivers speech at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, Nevada on February 23, 2016, the day of the Nevada GOP caucus.

After he was photographed jetting off to Cancun during the deadly storm in his home state in 2021, many asked for Cruz to resign. The Senator said it was a “mistake,” and he was only “trying to be a dad.” But people did not forget, and journalist Mark Jacob posted on X, “Ted Cruz is seeking special treatment to help him slip away to Cancun undetected.”

Filipkowski joined in

Ron Filipkowski, a conservative lawyer, mocked Cruz, “Keep the riff-raff commoners away from Prince Ted.” Vanity Fair contributing editor Franklin Leonard shared, “Ted Cruz does not want to be in the same spaces as you heathens when he has to travel.”

Hiding “behind cops”

Activist Melissa Byrne wrote on X, “Teddy can’t handle the public. So he wants to hide behind cops.” Georgia Democrat Marcus Flowers agreed, “Ted Cruz wants lawmakers to get security escorts through America’s airports so he can flee Texas to go to Cancun in private.”

More pressure on the airports

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Chief political and congressional strategy officer Annie Russo warned that Cruz’s bill would put more pressure on the airports, adding that “many airports do not have the resources that would be required to facilitate this sort of operation on a full-time basis.”

Cruz reminded of his “mistake”

In January 2024, Cruz posted on X, “Texans, with the freeze coming, wrap your pipes, cover your plants, stay off icy roads & keep your family safe. And, if it gets too damn cold, join me in Cancun!”

People were furious

One person responded, “Feels a bit odd to joke about getting caught going to Mexico while your constituents froze for a week and at least 246 people died, but here we are.”

Congressman Allred blasted Cruz

Colin Allred wrote on X, “When Ted Cruz jetted off to Cancun while Texans were freezing in the dark, I was on the phone with @FEMA working to coordinate supplies and helped the @NTFB get food to Texans. Texas deserves a leader who will step up for our State, not abandon us in a crisis.”

Not the first time Cruz joked about his family getaway

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In May 2023, Cruz posted a photo of himself next to the Cancun sign in Midland, Texas. Former NSNBC host Mehdi Hasan shared, “More than 200 Texans died in that winter storm, officially, but the real death toll was much higher. For Cruz, who abandoned suffering Texans for the Ritz in Cancun, it’s all one big joke.”

Cruz is not the only lawmaker caught in an airport debacle

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In 2009, Republican South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford went missing for almost a week. His office said he was “hiking the Appalachians,” but it was later revealed he was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a woman who was not his then-wife. One reporter met the ex-Governor at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

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