Despite having repeatedly voted to restrict a woman’s right to control her reproductive system, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) got upset when he was asked to explain his position on the issue of abortion during a debate with his Democratic opponent, Rep. Colin Allred, Tuesday evening in the Lone Star State.
Debate moderator Jason Whitely of WFAA in Dallas asked Cruz, “Texas has one of the strictest abortion bans in the United States. There’s no exception for rape or incest, as you know. In 2021, you co-sponsored a bill in Congress that included those exceptions. But a year later, when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, you said that you agree with the Texas law that has zero exceptions. So tonight, the question is, where do you stand on this? And we’re asking for your personal opinion as a Texan and as a father.”
Rather than respond, Cruz began to filibuster.
“Well listen, abortion is an issue many Texans and many Americans care deeply about. And it’s an issue people of good faith can disagree. People are genuinely and deeply pro-life. People are genuinely and deeply pro-choice. And there are all sorts of positions in between. I agree with the United States Supreme Court that under our Constitution, the way we resolve questions like that, questions on which we have real and genuine disagreements it’s at the ballot box, is voting.”
Whitley tried again, asking, “Senator, you do not directly answer the question,” he said. “I wanna ask you again. Do you support or oppose exceptions for rape or for incest? Again, asking as a Texan and a father tonight.”
Cruz dodged the query a second time.
“So, I wanna be very clear,” Cruz began before attacking Allred.
Whitley pressed a third time.
“Senator, I wanna give you 60 seconds,” he said. “I wanna ask you again. Why is this an issue you won’t address, about saying whether you support or oppose exceptions for–”
Cruz attacked the moderator and asked, “Why do you keep asking me that?”
Well, Ted, he probably asked because he wants to know if you’re still an anti-choice extremist. And since you’re running for reelection, it seems the least you could do is reply.
Here’s the video:
