If it’s not Lauren Boebert acting up these days for right-wing Congress, it’s Ted Cruz. The much maligned senator from Texas has received swift smackdowns from both Patton Oswalt and Ellen Barkin, but he’s still kicking, likely feeling emboldened by Texas lawmakers’ recent victory for an insane abortion ban. This week, though, Ted is reverting to being all fired up about the U.S.-Mexico border, and he also took some time to defend what he insists is not a “racist” voter ID law in Texas.
Cruz appears to be in denial of how Texas’ voter ID law, which is arguably the nation’s strictest example (requiring only certain forms of identification at the polls for most citizens), was declared by a federal appeals court to violate the Voting Rights Act. Via Mediaite, however, Ted decided to trap himself in a circular pattern while asking the following question — “Are voter I.D. laws racist?” — during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Oh boy.
https://twitter.com/WUTangKids/status/1440708054048129037
Granted, Cruz knew that he was in enemy territory, given that he was speaking to Democratic witnesses, including law professor Franita Tolson, along with Asian Americans Advancing Justice President John Yang and Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund President Thomas Saenz. Cruz first asked Tolson, “In your judgment, are voter ID laws racist?” However, he wasn’t thrilled to wait for even two seconds for an answer (after she thanked him for the question) before interrupting her: “I want to move quickly. So it depends’ is your answer.” He added, “So what voter ID laws are racist?” Tolson responded, “Apologies, Mr. Cruz. Your state of Texas, perhaps.”
The Not-Zodiac Killer was not pleased. He moved onto Yang and Saenz and still didn’t receive a satisfactory answer while interrupting all of them. With Tolson, however, Cruz seemed particularly offended: “So you think the entire state of Texas is racist? What about requiring an ID to vote is racist?” Tolson maintained her cool to cite the federal case “that first resolved the constitutionality of Texas’ voter ID law.” Cruz, the interruption king, didn’t wouldn’t accept that he couldn’t receive his desired answer, but social media noticed.
But they weren't giving him the answer he wanted, dangit!
— ☘️🥂MrsAllnut🍾☘️ (@mrsallnut) September 22, 2021
Funny how he asks the question but is constantly interrupting them as they’re answering.
— GOING HOG WILD (@xMancerNecro) September 22, 2021
He wouldn’t even let them get through their answer without interrupting! 🤬
— LADY_in_MD (@LADY_in_MD) September 22, 2021
If you are on trial for your life, you don’t want Ted Cruz cross-examining the state’s star witness. You will only end up looking more guilty after he finishes.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 22, 2021
You can just see Ted's incredulity coming through in that smirk as he outwardly demonstrates that he, as a white male, simply can't believe things can affect other races negatively.
— Shiro v.ZFG (@ShiroSpirit) September 22, 2021
I like when he says, "Never mind the intent…"
It's 100% ABOUT the intent. If the lawmakers INTEND to prevent people of color from voting, THAT is why it's unconstitutional.— Doug Profitt (@Doug_Profitt) September 22, 2021
For the record, if a Black Woman says, “thank you for that question” & cocks her head to the side understand she is about to read you your rights. She understands not only the answer to the question but also the details of your DNA. She has prepared her whole life for this moment
— Ebony Jade Hilton, MD (@EbonyJHilton_MD) September 22, 2021
Amazing how being rude comes so naturally to him
— Flounder (@flounder1010) September 22, 2021