Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Tuesday responded to backlash for vacationing in Greece while flooding killed dozens in his home state.
“The Senator was already in the middle of preplanned family vacation travel overseas when the flooding occurred on July 4. Within hours, he spoke by phone with Governor (Greg) Abbott, Lt. Governor (Dan) Patrick, Texas Emergency Management Director Nim Kidd, and President (Donald) Trump, working to ensure that the maximum federal assets were available for search and rescue,” Cruz’s office said in a statement to The Hill.
“He and his team worked closely with local officials and with families of missing girls throughout that time. He promptly booked a flight back home. Given the time difference, he left Athens on Sunday morning and was back in Texas that night. And he was in Kerrville on the ground early Monday morning,” the statement continued.
While he was gone, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) met with Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), Rep. Chip Roy (R) and Sheriff Larry Leitha for a briefing on Saturday.
Cruz said he spoke with leaders to help coordinate rescue efforts while abroad and help a separate press conference upon his return to Kerr County.
“The flooding we are seeing in Central Texas is absolutely devastating. Heidi and I send our heartfelt condolences to all those who have been directly impacted by this natural disaster. We thank President Trump for quickly approving Governor Abbott’s disaster declaration, and Secretary Noem for being on the ground and sending additional personnel to support Texans,” Cruz said in a statement on Sunday as multiple missing young girls and counselors at Camp Mystic were pronounced dead.
In a later interview with Fox News, he suggested something “went wrong” with the state's flood warning systems as the Guadalupe River water swelled without much notice to residents in the area.
“We urge everyone to heed the warnings from local officials and stay out of harm’s way. We are immensely grateful to the first responders—both in Texas and from across the country—who are risking their own safety to rescue those in need. As Texans, we must remain united in spirit and grit, and support our neighbors as we always do best.”
In the past, Cruz face criticism for a 2021 trip to Cancún in the midst of Winter Storm Uri.
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