Senator Ted Cruz is currently “filibustering” on the Senate floor to #MakeDCListen on defunding Obamacare. According to various pundits and outlets, this is not technically a filibuster of course, but Professor Jacobson explains that a vote for cloture is a vote for Harry Reid.
Live Twitter feed at bottom of post.
Update: It’s over. By Senate rule, the new Senate “day” started at noon, and Cruz lost the floor. He spoke for almost 22 hours.
(Ted Cruz concluding filibuster by Senate Rule at Noon, September 25, 2013)
21 hours, 19 minutes for freedom, free markets, transparency, deliberation & constitutional principles. Thank you @SenTedCruz
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) September 25, 2013
Pic: Senator cruz you just finished a 21 hour talk a thon, where are you going now? Throng of reporters! pic.twitter.com/hsRA1aE4LP
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) September 25, 2013
(Ted Cruz “filibuster” of Obamacare, Sept. 25, 2013, 7 a.m.)
(Ted Cruz daughters as he reads them Green Eggs & Ham)
The only way Dick Durbin could be a worse failure at this point is to personally hand a bag of taxpayer money to a Teamster on his way out.
— John Hayward (@Doc_0) September 25, 2013
Durbin: Are you covered by the government health option? Cruz: I am eligible, I am not covered by it #boom
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) September 25, 2013
Sen. Durbin, here's Debating 101: Never ask a question to which you do not already know the answer.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) September 25, 2013
(Twitter US Trends 9-25-2013 9:39 a.m. Eastern)
We need to #MakeDCListen http://t.co/0CATkAZWqM
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 24, 2013
https://twitter.com/nightingalern/status/382648222600032257
Rubio Joins Cruz on Senate Floor To Discuss bill to #DefundObamacare VIDEO here–>> http://t.co/USsx59snMd
— CesarConda (@CesarConda) September 25, 2013
https://twitter.com/lisamagdalisa/statuses/382719907026063360
Cruz quotes Teamsters Union letter: "Obamacare is destroying the 40 hour workweek." #MakeDCListen
— Jimmy (@JimmyPrinceton) September 24, 2013
Ted Cruz to Dick Durbin: "you take the votes of people who's premiums have gone down, I'll take the others". #StandWithCruz #MakeDCListen
— JodiKyman (@jodikyman) September 25, 2013
MT U called it @EWErickson: "Looks like Mike Enzi will suddenly be standing with Cruz. RE https://t.co/vR79xZ1QB2 … pic.twitter.com/9TPlHHXmsK
— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) September 25, 2013
#Obamacare is a trojan horse. Once it is inside, it will destroy us. –@SenTedCruz trying to #MakeDCListen
— Tea Party Patriots (@TPPatriots) September 24, 2013
https://twitter.com/SarahPalinUSA/status/382642156533325824
@SenTedCruz will read tweets from #MakeDCListen
— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) September 24, 2013
Cruz: Where's the outrage among Senators that young people are being denied the American dream because of what we have wrought- ObamaCare
— Deb Heine, Dissident (@NiceDeb) September 24, 2013
Fact: @SenTedCruz promised the people of Texas he'd do everything possible to stop Obamacare. That's what he's doing. #MakeDCListen
— Larry O'Connor (@LarryOConnor) September 24, 2013
Earlier, I joined @SenTedCruz on the Senate floor to #MakeDCListen. In case you missed it, watch here: http://t.co/xVQI0uPYSv
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 24, 2013
I will oppose cloture on the CR at every step of the way to take a stand against Obamacare, higher premiums, higher taxes and fewer jobs.
— Senator Pat Roberts (@SenPatRoberts) September 24, 2013
.@SenTedCruz ripping one on socialized medicine. Continue to lay down truth bombs, good sir! #MakeDCListen
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) September 24, 2013
#StandWithTed #MakeDCListen #SenateMustAct #DefundObamacare http://t.co/6xmH93ADoD pic.twitter.com/vqaGhj0vRs
— Reince Priebus (@Reince) September 24, 2013
It is time to #MakeDCListen and that is a point I intend to make over and over again
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 24, 2013
DC isn't listening. Everyone in America understands that Obamacare isn't working. #MakeDCListen
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 24, 2013
DC is using a rigged process to keep Obamacare funded. #MakeDCListen
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 24, 2013
If the top priority of the American people is jobs and the economy, it should be the top priority of Congress #MakeDCListen
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 24, 2013
Obamacare is the biggest job-killer in this country. The American people want to stop this madness, and so do I. #MakeDCListen
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 24, 2013
No more games. No more trying to fool the American people. We need to #MakeDCListen
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 24, 2013
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Comments
Thank God for at least one Representative who is actually representing the people and state who elected him.
Now, if only we could get the other people who were elected to represent the STATES to actually represent the STATES.
http://repeal17.net/
Cruz is correct. The Congress is just like professional wrestling.
While this may be a futile attempt, it will squarely rest O’bammyCare on the shoulders of the democrats.
It’s good to know that there is someone smarter than the average congress critter to look after our interests. Shame on the RINOs who have not…
Defund Obamacare or defund the Republican party.
I like it!
I now have a line ready for next time the GOP calls me and begs me to start donating to them again. Thank you! 😀
#DefundTheGOP
While I have no reference for how online petitions go, I am disappointed that the Don’t Fund It online petition is at about 1,650,000. Without any basis for my guess, I would have guessed a higher number.
I signed the petition and contributed.
http://www.dontfundobamacare.com/
This is good. He’s running through the entire list of all of the news stories about the negative economic impact of the ACA. It’s sound bite after sound bite of damning information acout the ACA.
Hammering the cleveland clinic story right now.
Professor, next time get the feed straight from C-SPAN 2,
Freedom works is F’ing up the works by butting in with their agenda, not letting the Senator speak.
Not so. I’ve been getting the Freedomworks feed undiluted, and I’m not even in the USA. I’m in Asia.
I’m a Cruz’er. Give ’em all sorts of hell Ted!
Can I make a suggestion?
People who have Republican Senators who are not supporting Cruz call Cruz’s office and ask that he tell those Senators ( on the floor ) that he has received calls from their constituents ( by name ) that those Senators failure to support him mean that these constituents will not support them.
” Senator Billy Bob for Maine, I have a note hear that Jim Jackson has called my office and asked me to tell you that failure to support me in this would mean that he will never again support you”
Nice idea. We have no such senator to call here in California.
If your Senators are Democrats, you can STILL do it:
” Senator M’am for California, I have a note hear that Jim Jackson has called my office and asked me to tell you that I’ve got the right of it, and you are not free to ignore me just because we are of different political parties.”
Be a #Cruz’er USA wide. We need more strong Conservatives like him.
Even Senator Wimpy Graham is showing signs that he’s beginning to understand that he needs to be a strong Conservative or he’s going home and retire; Maybe Reid would then offer him some mild assistance there!
I don’t know about all y’all, but I’m kind of crushin’ on Corner Guy 😉
Rubio talking, and I hope he’s going to strongly support Cruz (and encourage others to do so), and is not just jumping in here to glom some of the limelight and push his own PR. Because this doesn’t sound like a question but pontificating.
This is to Rubio: I voted for you guy, and if you ever want my vote or my money again given your performance on the immigration issues, do something honorable now.
He should stop whining about being tired after talking for maybe 15 minutes.
I had to step out and drive around for two hours… glad to see some other republicans have stepped forward to assist Cruz. I guess they didn’t want to be lumped in with the “constituents are the little people” members of the Senate.
“Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come what source it may.”
Senator Cruz is showing that in 175 years, those words still hold true.
Call your senator. Demand they stand with Ted Cruz.
2nd Amendment Mother
I’m sure his counterpart John Cornyn thought it was also futile for Cruz to host several townhall meetings in my very blue Texas district during the recess too. But, you know what…. those events were standing room only, and everyone in town is still talking about them.
It sucks when you’re Reps and Senators just toss in the towel when it comes to supporting the interests of their constituents.
And by golly….. Ted Cruz makes us all feel like even if we get our asses handed to that at least we showed up for the fight.
2nd Ammendment Mother, we got our asses handed to us at the Alamo. And then came San Jacinto.
Turn November, 2014 and November, 2016 into San Jacinto.
Well said, and historically accurate.
The #MakeDCListen filibuster Is holding 6 of the top 10 trending topics in the US.
Cool.
I picture all the other Senators, sipping scotch, sitting on their fat asses, laughing at Cruz…for “fighting” for their constituents.
He read my tweet!!!! Get me the Congressional Record stat!
Get. Out.
Really?
That’s cool.
He really did. I’m probably on an IRS audit list now.
Ha!
I will deny you three times before the cock crows.
I am so ashamed of my senators – the soon to be retired Senator McCain and his protege who we will also deal with, Senator Jeff Flake – I do not want WIMPS representing me – I want MEN – these two do not fit this description. *ashamed*
it’s ironic than a Man named Flake, should turn out to be one, no?
Damn if I ain’t feelin’ all Dirty Harry here.
“Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.” – Patrick Henry
Mark Levin is kickin’ it right now-
[…] Senator Ted Cruz is waging a one man war on ObamaCare on the senate floor right now. You can actually watch live streaming video at Legal Insurrection. […]
Senator Cruz just acknowledged some Congressmen that are there. And he asks “Where is the Senate?”
Yeah, Senators, the American people want to know where you are when we are demanding you listen to us, your employer. So, where are you?
Right now Drudge Report has this same feed streaming directly above the headline where a picture is usually located. I don’t think I’ve seen them do that before.
I am listening to every word Cruz says, played loud, while emailing and calling others.
What a great man.
“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.”
– Joseph Story
Out of the country and following this as best I can. So disgusted with Congress & Senate…Cruz is an inspiration. A few already know the raised fees they’ll have to pay. Just wait until the folks have to dig deeper into money they may not have to pay for ths Bobocare outrage.
That looks good on paper. I live in upsste NY, trust me, our two disgusting senators and the hoods in Albany and NYC would sit around the bar and have a good laugh at messages like that. To continue the analogy from an earlier post and senator Cruz, to compare these people to professional wrestlers is unkind to the wrestlers.
This was supposed to be a reply to Valerie, above.
If you don’t speak up, they will assume that you agree with them. More important, they will tell their fellow Democrats that “My comments are running against him.”
Do not assume you are alone.
Thank God for Ted Cruz and Mike Lee. I spent the whole day listening to them when I came in from work. Ayn Rand, Bastiat, family narratives, all of which has one point: liberty. It’s bedtime here in another hour or so, but I don’t want to go to sleep and miss a word of Ted’s. He has been devastating against Obamacare, and I feel heartened that the American people will arise and stand behind him, regardless of race or creed.
McCain called them “whacko” birds – it’s starting to look like Cruz and his allies are “whacko like a fox” – what I heard was both brilliant and inspiring – wish I could have listened all night.
Call me “Old Fashioned,” but I believe that if a Senator is going to do a filibuster s/he shpuld do a real one. This dog and pony show is just that, it isn’t stopping or delaying a damn thing in the Senate.
Anyway, it is a nice gesture and it does further endear Ted in mine and many observer’s eyes.
Cute kids!!!!!
Irresponsible is more apt.
Here sweetheart, I know that you cannot actually read anything outside of the Comments section of LI. So here is how Senator Cruz describes what he is “accomplishing:”
Quote:
“But Cruz cruised on, conceding that Reid’s control of the Senate calendar rendered his tactics little more than political theatre.
The Senate, he said, is like ‘wrestling matches where it’s all rigged. The outcome is predetermined, and it’s all for show.'”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2431223/Ted-Cruz-vows-speak-longer-stand-rises-opposition-Obamacare.html#ixzz2fufusHwg
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Cruz is saying now Obamacare would have been Hillarycare 19 years earlier. I can believe that. They are in it together. She’s probably still writing it. After all, we the people, don’t know what has been secretly added.
I have decided that the only Senate campaigns I will be donating to are for those who participate in the filibuster. That is now my “acid test”.
I don’t think Cruz’er statement to Durbin, sunk in. But I guess that is why, he is called, DICK!
Done made up the mind, God gave me for *2016 choices. Rand/Cruz’er. Cruz/Rand. Cruz/West. Rand/West.
*That is if Barry allows them. If Not We the People, WILL make sure THEY are allowed!
Ted rolled up Durbin who wanted to play the “answer the question” game. Masterful, simply masterful!
defund Obamacare or defund the Republican party!
mommie how did daddy get in the T.V. …can we let him out
Well, the longest speech in Senate history is in the record books, but it is over. So now what? What has changed?
Well, for starters, for 21 hours of my life, I was actually being represented in the Senate by someone.
That’s a change I can believe in.
I am not disagreeing with you Paul, I just don’t see what Ted accomplished, if anything at all other than further endearing himself to The Tea Party and true conservative Republicans.
I was embarrassed this morning flipping through the news channels because they spent maybe 7-10 seconds on the story and they only played Ted reading the children’s story, so it looked bad to anyone that did not know the context; he probably should have left that to Mom and just told them that he loved them very much through the TV.
Ted is one of my Senators. I think he may have taken a page from one of our Democrat state officials that filibustered a vote on a law related to abortion recently. She became a star overnight and may run for Governor; good luck with that in Texas. But anyway it was a true filibuster, not an overnight speech, with the chambers full of lawmakers and against a Republican dominated Senate that she knew she would lose but she did manage to delay the vote for several days, IIRC.
This stunt by Ted just seems to me to not have any teeth at all. And that may be OK to many that are so pissed off that they see any effort as a win, but it really was not a win, IMHO.
There is a conceit among the immature that states what is meaningless to me is meaningless period. We are not rendered blind by your inability to see, nor does something lose its value because you cannot comprehend it.
Henry you are such a special, you practice Saul Alinsky’s Rules For Radicals!
…the fourth rule carries within it the fifth rule: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.
Liberals almost never have logic on their side; so they’re incapable of rationally making the case for their opinions / policies, ridicule is so much easier!
Yes, I did identify in you a lack of insight. Also that we didn’t need more evidence of it, but thanks.
[…] WATCH LIVE: Cruz “filibusters” to #MakeDCListen on defunding Obamacare (legalinsurrection.com) […]
Ted Cruz is doing something very simple : What he can.
This is far better than doing nothing at all.
[…] than once in his filibuster debate with him (at times Durbin personally insulting Cruz). However, Sen. Durbin forgets the first rule of debate: Never ask your opponent a question you don’t know the answer to… and promptly get a […]
[…] All eyes have been riveted on Ted Cruz and his quasi-filibuster this week. […]