Cruz Vows To Speak Till He Can't Against Obamacare
WASHINGTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Texas Senator Ted Cruz took to the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon to rail against the President's healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act.
"Americans shouldn't have t worry about what Washington is doing to them, what Washington is doing to make their life harder, what Washington is doing to take away their job, what Washington is doig to drive up their health insurance premiums." said Cruz.
The Republican warned against cutting off debate on a bill to keep the Government operating after October 1st while defunding Obamacare.
Senate Democrats want to change the version of the bill approved by House Republicans last week to add the funding back in.
To do so, they want to vote for what's called "cloture", which would limit the debate -- and allow Democrats to approve the funding with fewer votes.
>> WATCH LIVE: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) makes marathon speech against Obamacare <<
Senator Cruz said, "We are silencing the voices of the Senate. We are silencing the voices of the people.
Some Republicans, including Texas' Senior Senator, John Cornyn, disagree with Senator Cruz's tactic, even though many, including Cornyn, support the House bill.
It seems as if everyone on Capitol Hill is talking about Senator Cruz, the freshman who's taken Congress by storm and by controversy.
Collin County's Democratic Party Chairman Shawn Stevens accuses Senator Cruz of trying to make a name for himself. "I think he's taken a short cut to power in the sense that he appeals to people's fears and prejudices, and that's the definition of a demagogue, and I think he can do better to represent Texas and all Texans."
But former State Republican Party Chair Cathie Adams credits Senator Cruz.
She also disagrees that Republicans should be blamed if they can't agree to keep the government funded after next Tuesday.
Adams says, "If the American government is shut down, it's because of President Barack Obama. It is not because of what the people want."
But the threat of a government shutdown concerns many Republicans on Capitol Hill because they are worried they'll be blamed.
The Senate will vote on its bill later this week, then the measure will go back to the House.
Action has to be taken before the new budget year begins Tuesday, October 1.
Cruz headlined a town hall meeting at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas in August in which he denounced "Obamacare" and pledged to defeat it.
"This thing ain't working," said Cruz to supporters. "And I'll tell you right now, the single biggest fight in Washington and I think the most important fight is the fight to defund Obamacare."
The Texas senator, who has the backing of conservative groups, said all across the country Americans are suffering because of the 3-year-old health care law.
(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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