What Ted Cruz said, and what was done

“Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the critical need for disaster relief in my home State of Texas for a Texas community that was devastated by historic wildfires.”

“I would note that I agree with virtually every word that was said by the Senator from Oregon. I agree that this tax treatment taxing someone on a disaster relief settlement from, say, the power company that caused the fire--giving someone a big tax bill for that relief that they are entitled to, it is unfair; it is wrong.”

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, on the merits, there are no substantive objections to this legislation. However, we do have a challenge between the two Chambers of Congress.”

“Reserving the right to object, I understand that my colleague from Iowa is deeply interested in getting this legislation passed, and I appreciate the diligence and effort she has devoted to this legislation.”

“Mr. President, in a time of great division in our country, college sports are one of the last institutions in America that still bring people together. But across the country, fans see that institution falling apart.”

“Mr. President, once again, Democrats have an amendment that does not mention the words ``border security,'' that has nothing to do with the topic on the floor today, but there is also an old adage that hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue.”

“Democrats had $390 million. The House Majority PAC had $260 million. The WinSenate PAC had $311 million. And even Our Revolution, a 501(c)(4) supporting Senator Sanders, spent millions.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to share the story of a young man who didn't have the opportunity to share his own story. His name was Trey Carlock, and for years, he struggled in silence with the trauma and the wounds inflicted by someone he once trusted at a summer camp he attended for many years.”

“Madam President, reserving the right to object, the House is currently holding a number of Senate-passed bills without action, including legislation I have introduced and passed through the Senate and measures led by many of my colleagues.”

“Madam President, reserving the right to object, I would note a couple of things. No. 1, Senator Paul said libertarians only object to the government surveilling them. That is not what I have ever heard from a libertarian.”

“Madam President, today the Senate will vote to confirm Andrew Davis of Texas to be a U.S. district judge for the Western District of Texas. Andrew Davis was born and raised in Texas.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and commend the employees of American Airlines on the remarkable occasion of its 100th anniversary of service. For a century, American Airlines has played a pivotal role in connecting communities, strengthening the U.S. economy, and advancing the aviation industry at home and abroad.”

“Mr. President, later this year, American citizens across the country will exercise one of their most valuable and sacred rights: the right to vote--a right that has been hard-earned and fought for from the founding generation of our Republic to today.”

“Mr. President, today, Texans celebrate 190 years of independence. On March 2, 1836, Texans fought bravely for liberty and for independence from Mexico. Many heroes, including William Barret Travis, James Bowie, and Davy Crockett, laid down their lives for the future of the Lone Star State.”

“Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm Nicholas Ganjei of Texas to be the U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Texas. Nick Ganjei's story is in many ways a classic American story.”

“Mr. President, in January of this year, tragedy struck just a few miles from here when an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”

“Mr. President, I now yield to Senator Moran, who has been a critical leader in fighting to pass the ROTOR Act and to ensure we have accountability and that we do not repeat the tragic mistakes that led to that horrific accident.”

“Mr. President, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 269, S. 2503.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a true servant of Texas, Carl Mica. For over 10 years, Carl has worked in my office, starting as my regional director and now ending his career as my deputy chief of staff and State director.”

“I thank Senator Johnson. It is day 38 of the Schumer shutdown--the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States. Now, Senator Schumer told the world: Every day gets better for us.”

“Every day gets better for us. Here is what one Democrat aide told CNN. Another senior Democrat aide said as long as public perception is in their favor, the party will not concede short of ``planes falling out of the sky.'' That is out of the words of the Democrats themselves.”

“Madam President, I rise today to honor a very special group of Americans--the soldiers, the sailors, the marines, and the airmen who have fought bravely for this Nation, but who have received the very highest distinction that any member of the Armed Forces can earn, the Medal of Honor.”

“Madam President, I rise today to speak about a grave matter and a clear violation of religious freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law. In China, Christians are fighting daily for their religious freedom against the Chinese Communist Party.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to speak about Oswaldo Paya and, as I have done before, to urge this body to honor his legacy. Paya was a Cuban dissident who fought against the communist regime and who stood up and fought for free speech, for democracy, and for human rights.”

“Saying his name has power. In just a moment, I would propound a unanimous consent request to take up and pass the Oswaldo Paya Way resolution. I want to point out this is bipartisan legislation.”

“I must say, the objection from my friend from New Jersey is deeply unfortunate. The remarks that he gave were unfortunately seriously in error. The Senator from New Jersey suggested that it is only the DC City Council that has the power to do this.”

“We are on day 15 of a government shutdown because the Democrats are unwilling to fund the Federal Government, unwilling to pass a clean continuing resolution. By the way, every one of them, including the Senator from New Jersey, has given speeches about how it is reckless and irresponsible to shut the government down, not to pass a clean continuing resolution.”

“Reserving the right to object, for the same reasons I articulated a minute ago. I am quite sympathetic to the concerns raised by the Senator from Oregon. He is right.”

“Mr. President, in reserving the right to object, I thank my friend the Senator from Oregon for his passion for privacy. He has had a passion for protecting privacy his entire tenure in the Senate, as have I, and his passion is genuine.”

“Madam President, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed a report for S. 414, ADS for Mental Health Services Act, on June 24, 2025, before receiving the formal CBO score on the bill.”

“Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of Arielle Roth to serve as Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA. Having worked closely with Arielle, I can attest personally that there is no one better to lead the NTIA and to advise the President on telecommunications issues.”

“I strongly urge my colleagues to support Arielle Roth's nomination to be NTIA Administrator. She was voted out of the Commerce Committee with bipartisan support, and my hope is that she will be confirmed on this floor with bipartisan support.”

“Mr. President, public broadcasting has long been overtaken by partisan activists, plain and simple. This isn't just an abstract critique. NPR and PBS have revealed their leftwing bias time and time again.”

“Mr. President, Texas is grieving. Our hearts are shattered on what transpired in the early hours of Friday, July 4. In just a few hours, over 1.8 trillion gallons of rain fell upon central Texas.”

“There are many important elements to One Big Beautiful Bill, but none over time is likely to have as big an impact as this specific provision that the Democrats are trying to strike tonight.”

“Mr. President, a few hours ago, we had an agreement. Blackburn-Cruz was set to pass. It was a compromise that would have imposed a 5-year moratorium on State regulation of artificial intelligence.”

“Mr. President, Senate Republicans are providing the FAA, in this bill, with $12.5 billion to transform the air traffic control system--a concept that is incredibly popular with the American people and badly needed.”

“Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., to receive testimony in open and closed session.”

“Madam President, I remember, as a kid in Sunday school, thinking what it would have been like to live in Israel in the age of the apostles, in the time of miracles.”

“Mr. President, I rise today with both sorrow and gratitude in my heart to honor and celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman, the Honorable Diana Denman. Diana has rightly been described as the ``Godmother of the Texas Republican Party.'' She was a fierce warrior for freedom, but she was also a radiant spirit, a source of wisdom and kindness, and the embodiment of grace, conviction, and truth.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to call up my resolution to undo a regulation about appliances, which was imposed by the Biden- Harris administration weeks after American voters had overwhelmingly rejected that administration and its policies and which, if left in place, would increase costs and limit the options of everyday Texans and everyday Americans across our Nation.”

“Mr. President, the U.S. Coast Guard is essential to protecting our Nation's maritime borders from threats like illegal drugs, illegal immigration, and transnational crime. The Coast Guard saves American lives and ensures that commerce flows smoothly at our ports.”

“Mr. President, I thank Senator Cantwell and her staff for their hard work on this bill. I also want to thank my staff on the committee as well who have put in many hours.”

“Mr. President, the decentralized finance industry is in its infancy. It is a new technology in the digital asset space which enables two individuals to exchange cryptocurrencies without a third party sitting in between them.”

“Two weeks ago, Mr. Lutnick appeared before the Commerce Committee, where he received a warm reception from Senators. The following week, he was reported out with bipartisan support, underscoring that many Commerce Committee members see Mr.”

“Madam President, I rise in support of the nomination of Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation. Last week, Congressman Duffy was reported favorably out of the Commerce Committee without a single ``no'' vote.”