Senator Ted Cruz is making headlines this week for a pair of high-profile moments: a fiery statement blaming Democrats for a looming government shutdown and a viral verbal gaffe during a Senate hearing that has social media buzzing.
Cruz Blames Democrats for Government Shutdown Threat
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released a pointed statement on September 30, accusing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats of intentionally pushing the federal government toward a shutdown. Cruz claims their demands include
taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants and a reversal of Republican welfare reforms, which he says block handouts to able-bodied adults who refuse to work.
"Americans voted for change under President Trump and a Republican Congress," Cruz asserted, urging his party to stand firm against what he calls Democratic overreach. The statement underscores Cruz’s ongoing strategy of framing budget battles as a fight for conservative values, especially on immigration and welfare.
Viral Senate Hearing Slip-Up: "Stop Attacking Pedophiles"
Cruz’s week took an unexpected turn during a Senate hearing on Tuesday. While discussing bipartisan efforts to make cities safer, Cruz intended to call for unity against violent crime. Instead, he mistakenly said,
"Let's stop attacking pedophiles," a slip that instantly went viral and drew widespread mockery online.
The Texas senator was urging lawmakers to come together to prevent murders and sexual assaults, but his choice of words led to confusion and criticism. Social media users and commentators quickly seized on the moment, with many suggesting Cruz should be more careful with his remarks in high-stakes settings.
Legislative Activity and Fundraising
Despite the headlines, Cruz remains active on Capitol Hill. Recent bills he’s proposed include:
-
Retirement Freedom Act-
SANDBOX Act-
Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025-
CLEAN DC ActCruz’s fundraising remains robust, with
$1.4 million disclosed in Q2 2025, mostly from individual donors. He reported
$2.3 million in cash on hand at the end of the filing period, keeping him well-positioned for future political battles.
What This Means for Cruz’s Political Future
Cruz’s combative style and headline-grabbing moments are nothing new, but the recent slip-up adds fuel to critics who say he’s prone to controversy. His strong stance against Democratic shutdown tactics will likely rally his base, but viral moments like the Senate hearing gaffe could haunt him in future campaigns.
For now, Cruz remains a central figure in the Senate’s ongoing budget drama and a lightning rod for both supporters and detractors.
Sources
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2. Ted Cruz - Wikipedia
3. Press Releases | Senator Ted Cruz
4. Ted Cruz - Click2Houston
5. Ted Cruz Fumbles and Encourages Lawmakers to 'Stop Attacking ...
6. About Ted | Senator Ted Cruz
7. Ted Cruz Verbatim Says, “Let's Stop Attacking Pedophiles”
8. Ted Cruz for Senate, et al. v. FEC
9. Ted Cruz says 'stop attacking pedophiles' in embarrassing gaffe
10. September 2025 US Tech Policy Roundup | TechPolicy.Press
11. Ted Cruz blocks bill that would extend privacy protections to all ...
12. WTAS: Bipartisan, Bicameral TAKE IT DOWN Act to Criminalize the ...
13. USDA Announces Sweeping Plans to Protect the United States from ...
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