Rep. Peter King: Ted Cruz Didn't Vote For Zadroga Act, Doesn't Support NY Firefighters, Police
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Rep. Peter King is calling out presidential candidate Ted Cruz amid controversy over the senator's comments on "New York values."
On Saturday, King tweeted that Ted Cruz was lying when he said he supports New York's firefighters and police.
"Not true," the Republican said, adding that Cruz did not co-sponsor or vote in favor of the Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act. King went on to call Cruz "a fraud."
.@tedcruz can't tell truth. Says he fights 4 cops & firefighters. Not true. Didnt cosponsor or vote 4 Zadroga 9/11 health bill. What a fraud
— Pete King (@RepPeteKing) January 16, 2016
Cruz has come under heavy fire from both sides of the aisle in New York after making repeated comments attacking "New York values" during Thursday night's Republican presidential debate.
In response, the Republican issued an apology -- but not for his remarks. Instead, Cruz blasted New York's "liberal politicians," specifically attacking Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio.
During his remarks to reporters on Friday, Cruz claimed de Blasio did not support his own police officers.
"I apologize to all the cops, and the firefighters and 9/11 heroes who had no choice but to stand and turn their backs on Mayor de Blasio, because Mayor de Blasio over and over again stands with the looters and criminals rather than the brave men and women in blue," Cruz said.
In late 2014, Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Pat Lynch and other critics accused de Blasio of taking the side of protesters after a grand jury declined to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the police-involved death of Eric Garner. Thousands of officers went on to turn their backs on the mayor at the funerals of officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, who were shot and killed in an ambush attack in Brooklyn.
Cruz also lambasted Cuomo for his policies, including the governor's stance against hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, and in favor of same-sex marriage rights, abortion rights and gun control.
Cruz's personal attacks created a reason for Cuomo and de Blasio, who have publicly feuded over a myriad of issues in the state, to join together. The pair issued a joint op-ed piece in the New York Daily News, blasting Cruz and calling his comments about New York a low blow.