WASHINGTON — Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz said Thursday that he would use any means necessary, including a filibuster, to help ensure passage of a continuing resolution that defunds Obamacare.
“I will do everything necessary and anything possible to defund Obamacare,” Cruz said at a press conference with House Republicans on the CR that the House is set to pass Friday that continues to fund the government through the end of the year and defunds Obamacare.
Asked if he would filibuster, Cruz said he would use “any procedural means necessary.”
Cruz drew fire Thursday, after the House plan was announced, for suggesting that there was no chance the bill would get through in the Democratic controlled Senate.
“Harry Reid will no doubt try to strip the defund language from the continuing resolution, and right now he likely has the votes to do so,” Cruz said in a statement Thursday. “At that point, House Republicans must stand firm, hold their ground, and continue to listen to the American people.”
Several House Republicans accused him of giving up the fight, but Cruz deflected questions about that criticism Thursday, saying, “it is very easy in Washignton to make this about personalities, to make this about people. This is not about any of us, this is about the American people.”