Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz issued a statement explaining why he flew to Cancun, Mexico while many Texans are without heat and power following a winter storm.
In a copy of his statement, the Texas senator said that he went to Cancun after his daughters asked if they could take a trip for the week and because he wanted “to be a good dad.”
New Statement from @tedcruz: pic.twitter.com/0WMni5O9R1
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) February 18, 2021
“This has been an infuriating week for Texans. The greatest state in the greatest country in the world has been without power. We have food lines, gas lines, and people sleeping at the neighbors’ houses,” Cruz’s statement began. “Our homes are freezing and our lights are out. Like millions of Texans, our family lost heat and power too.”
“With school cancelled for the week, our girls asked to take a trip with friends,” Cruz explained. “Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon.” (RELATED: Sen. Ted Cruz Flew To Cancun With His Family Amid Winter Storm, Power Crisis In Texas)
Just confirmed @SenTedCruz and his family flew to Cancun tonight for a few days at a resort they’ve visited before. Cruz seems to believe there isn’t much for him to do in Texas for the millions of fellow Texans who remain without electricity/water and are literally freezing. pic.twitter.com/6nPiVWtdxe
— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) February 18, 2021
“My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas. We want our power back, our water on, and our homes warm. My team and I will continue using all our resources to keep Texans informed and safe,” his statement continued.
Cruz was slammed after photos appeared of him in the airport and on an airplane to Cancun while millions of Texans were left without heat and power days after a deadly winter storm.
Here’s the upgrade list for this afternoon’s flight from Cancun to Houston.
Looks like @tedcruz is on his way back, @danpfeiffer. He’s just narrowly missing the upgrade list
That’s assuming that “cru, r” is him. And I do. pic.twitter.com/CqfKa5rJfG
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) February 18, 2021
In addition to a loss of power, many Texans are being told to boil water for drinking and cooking purposes, according to the Texas Tribune. Due to freezing temperatures, Texans began dripping faucets in order to keep their pipes from freezing.
Additionally, as of Thursday, roughly 500,000 Texans were still without power, according to Fox News.