Cruz Criticized For Vote to "Gut" Intelligence Programs
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is facing increasing scrutiny for his vote five months ago to place new limits on national intelligence programs, legislation that is being cast in a new light following deadly terrorist attacks in Paris.
The drumbeat was started in earnest last week by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, and on Tuesday, an outside group will breath new life into the attack when it goes on the air in Iowa with a TV ad that says Cruz "voted to weaken America's ability to identify and hunt down terrorists." The group, American Encore, is spending just over $200,000 to run the 30-second spot over two weeks in the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids markets, according to its founder, Sean Noble.
Cruz's campaign dismissed the ad as a sign of the senator's growing dominance in the race for the White House. The campaign is also pointing to Cruz's belief that USA Freedom Act strikes the right balance between keeping the country safe and protecting individuals' right to privacy.
"Because Ted Cruz is surging in the polls, the Washington cartel is now so desperate, they would openly abandon the Fourth Amendment that protects citizens from unconstitutional searches," Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler said in a statement Monday. "We have to wonder what other parts of the Constitution they would gut."
Read more: http://www.texastribune.org/2015/11/24/cruz-hit-vote-gut-intelligence-programs/
