21 hours

History was made earlier this week as Senator Ted Cruz finished a 21 hour filibuster on the Senate floor, where he stood from 2:40pm Tuesday until noon Wednesday, speaking on the perils of Obamacare and extolling the virtues of the free market. He flawlessly debated with Democrats such as Senators Dick Durbin and Tim Kaine, and held his own when Harry Reid tried to fool him with procedural tricks.

With references to Ayn Rand and Frederic Bastiat to Dr. Seuss and Duck Dynasty, the Senator- along with help from fellow Senators Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, and Jeff Sessions, among others- never let a moment pass that was the least bit lacking in passion and courage. In a debate bogged down in issues of political expediency, Senator Cruz shifted the focus back to the people, and for 21 long hours, became our uninterrupted voice.

We are very proud of our Senator, and hope you’ll join us in sending him supportive emails here.

Our job now is to reflect the strength of his efforts with our own. And oddly enough, the state that produced Obamacare’s biggest Republican foe also holds Obamacare’s biggest Republican friend.

Senator John Cornyn is actively working against Senator Cruz. On the Edd Hendee show yesterday, Senator Cornyn said in reference to a vote against cloture: “A government shutdown is not in our best interest.” In a phone conversation earlier today, the Senator’s Deputy Regional Director for the Dallas area, Collin McLochlin, told us the Senator plans to vote for cloture, even though in doing so Harry Reid would be able to strip defunding language from the CR.

The reasoning?

Mr. McLochlin said the Senator is worried about the Democrats and media blaming a government shutdown on Republicans, and therefore causing the party losses in the 2014 election. Indeed, on the Ed Hendee Show, the Senator also inferred that it would be better if Obamacare were implemented and people began to feel it’s effects, saying “anything we can do to remind the American public that Democrats own Obamacare, which is becoming increasingly unpopular- a train wreck occurring right in front of our very eyes- I think that sets us up in pretty good shape for 2014.”

So, according to Senator Cornyn, Obamacare is fine as long as Republicans win in 2014? The Senator needs to be reminded that a vote for cloture is a vote for Obamacare.

It has been nearly impossible to get through to any of the Senator’s offices, but the phone number which has so far worked the best is his campaign office’s number, which is: 512-494-8535
Dallas: 972-239-1310
Houston: 713-572-3337
Harlingen: 956-423-0162
Lubbock: 806-472-7533
San Antonio: 210-224-7485
Austin: 512-469-6034
Tyler: 903-593-0902
DC: 202-224-2934

Email him here. Facebook him here. Tweet him here.

Click here for a full list of Republican Senators and their DC office numbers.

If you talk to a staffer, they will tell you that the Senator already voted for cloture after the filibuster along with every other Senator, including Ted Cruz. This is a trick. All 100 Senators did vote unanimously after the filibuster, but to move forward with consideration of the legislation. A vote for cloture is likely to come this Friday or Saturday, and will determine if Harry Reid needs 60 votes or just 51 to strip the CR of defunding language.

The staffers will also assure you that Senator Cornyn very much intends to vote against any CR that funds Obamacare. This is another trick, as at that point, cloture will have been invoked, and a vote against a CR that funds Obamacare is meaningless as there aren’t enough Republican Senators to defeat it. Again, a vote for cloture is a vote for Obamacare.

Rep. Louie Gohmert needs to be thanked. Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) stayed in the Senate chamber throughout Senator Cruz’s entire 21 hour speech. This display of solidarity and conviction is something to be praised. Texas is blessed not only to have such a conservative Representative as part of its delegation, but also one who is willing to help fellow conservatives carry the heavy load- even when the fight is in the opposite chamber.

Send Rep. Gohmert an email here.

Tweet him at @RepLouieGohmert.

Facebook him here.

Call his offices at:
DC – 202-225-3035
Tyler – 903-561-6349
Longview – 903-236-8597
Lufkin – 936-632-3180
Marshall – 903-938-8386
Nacogdoches – 936-715-9514