CBS Presses Ted Cruz on Seeking 3rd Phrase As He Backs 2-Time period Limit

• Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is running for a third phrase though also backing a two-expression limit for senators.
• CBS Information “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan on Sunday pressed Cruz on his stance.
• “If and when it passes, I will happily, fortunately comply. I have in no way stated I am heading to unilaterally comply,” he mentioned.

Two-term Sen. Ted Cruz on Sunday sought to fend off inquiries about his intention to search for a 3rd expression right after introducing a constitutional amendment that would limit senators to two conditions in place of work.

During an interview on the CBS News software “Face the Country,” host Margaret Brennan pressed the Texas Republican about his conclusion to operate for a 3rd term, asking him why he is carrying out the really same factor he is trying to get to limit.

“You also launched a invoice to restrict phrases to two six-year conditions in place of work for senators. Why usually are not you holding yourself to that conventional?” Brennan requested. “You mentioned you might be running for a third time period.”

Cruz responded: “Listen, I’m a passionate defender of phrase restrictions. I believe that Congress would work considerably superior if each and every senator ended up limited to two phrases if each and every Dwelling member ended up confined to three conditions. I have launched a constitutional amendment to put that into the Structure.”

Brennan claimed: “But you happen to be even now functioning.”

—Face The Country (@FaceTheNation) February 5, 2023

Cruz continued: “If and when it passes, I will happily, happily comply. I have in no way reported I am likely to unilaterally comply.”

Brennan then interjected: “Are you managing for president?”

The senator additional: “I’ll notify you what, when the socialists and when the swamp are completely ready to go away Washington, I will be additional than joyful to comply by the very same procedures that utilize for every person. But till then, I’m going to keep battling for 30 million Texans due to the fact which is the task they’ve asked me to do.”

When Cruz released the bill along with Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina very last thirty day period, the senator said that time period restrictions would offer “accountability that is lengthy overdue.”

“Time period limitations are essential to fixing what’s wrong with Washington, DC. The Founding Fathers envisioned a govt of citizen legislators who would serve for a several decades and return home, not a authorities run by a compact group of exclusive pursuits and lifelong, completely entrenched politicians who prey upon the brokenness of Washington to govern in a manner that is thoroughly unaccountable to the American individuals,” he reported at the time.

Cruz is advocating for the passage of the amendment as his extensive-time period political potential continues to be up in the air.

While Cruz ran for president in 2016 — earning the next-highest quantity of votes and delegates driving then-Republican presidential applicant Donald Trump — he has not nonetheless indicated if he may possibly also look for the GOP nomination against the previous president in 2024. Below Texas regulation, Cruz can run for the presidency and also find reelection to the Senate at the exact time.

Cruz ran on a staunchly conservative system throughout his initial marketing campaign, which he would definitely replicate in a possible 2024 bid.

But in addition to Trump, who’s now in the race, he would encounter Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, who is set to be part of the contest later on this month — along with opportunity candidates like former Vice President Mike Pence, Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

However, Cruz sought to sidestep discuss of a presidential bid throughout the CBS interview, reiterating that he was operating for reelection.

“There’s a motive I’m in Texas now. I am not in Iowa. I’m in Texas, and I am combating for 30 million Texans,” he mentioned.