Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) is being dragged across the internet after he went on Fox News on Tuesday morning to criticize Democratic state lawmakers who fled the state, breaking quorum to prevent the legislature from passing a voter suppression bill.
“What you’re seeing the Democrats do here is a political stunt, and I will say it’s ironic, as they were getting on their private jet to fly to Washington, D.C., they almost surely had to show identification to get on that jet,” Cruz said. “And yet they’re doing this in a fit because they don’t want mail-in ballots to be verified, they don’t want the signatures to be verified, they don’t want basic integrity steps to be strengthened in the state of Texas. This is at the end of the day politics, and they need to get back to doing their jobs.”
Vox journalist Aaron Rupar, who posted the clip, noted that Cruz’s comparison is a “false equivalency,” given that “people have a right to vote but not a right to board jets.”
Others on Twitter also had plenty of responses for Cruz, who infamously fled Texas himself during winter storm Ura as the state’s power grid failed, leaving hundreds Texans to freeze to death.
Imagine if they had flown to Cancun.
— Erik Larson (@eelarson) July 13, 2021
And isn't it ironic, don't you think?
A little too ironic.
And, yeah, I really do think. pic.twitter.com/0J1PGeQfql— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) July 13, 2021
Texas Democrats left the state to fight for voting rights.
Ted Cruz left the state to sip drinks on a Cancun beach.
I’d sit this one out, Ted. pic.twitter.com/aaePYLLzXs
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) July 13, 2021
Says the jealous "man" who flew commercial to Cancun in the middle of a TX snowstorm. pic.twitter.com/wcxfNPb1p3
— Trump Family for Prison 2021 (@chrisan51147433) July 13, 2021
After all… @tedcruz would know about showing ID to get on a plane as you flee Texas, right? https://t.co/AB478ivZzO
— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) July 13, 2021
Not only is it a false equivalency, but private flights have no obligation to check ID prior to boarding … and from what I understand, most don't.
— Paul M (@PMuNDPhd) July 13, 2021
I’m astounded @tedcruz has the balls to talk about getting on a plane. pic.twitter.com/mtOpvRmIQk
— Jamie Schler (@lifesafeast) July 13, 2021
Find me anyone with less self awareness on the planet earth (who isn’t named trump). I dare you.
— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) July 13, 2021
Texas Democrats boarded a flight to fight for democracy and their constituents. Ted Cruz boarded a flight to Cancun to run away from a problem and his constituents.
— K Bedmas (@Mathematasian) July 13, 2021
Flying is not a Constitutional right, voting is. GQP constantly mix up requirements for private industry with Government
— Party of Fear (@kdevil66) July 13, 2021
There is a reason John Boehner called Cruz Lucifer in the Flesh.
— Just some guy you used to know (@putmygamefaceon) July 13, 2021
