Texas

“

[Objecting to the Democrats' unanimous-consent request, Cruz said he still has] real reservations about this specific proposal[, arguing it would give the executive branch] unbound discretion [in regulating private AI companies by letting it pick the safety board that sets the rules. Of the stalled bipartisan AI safety negotiations, he said:] I'm frustrated by that.

“

You have done an enormous damage, and I believe your conduct represents the most egregious abuse of power in the history of the Department of Justice.

“

Today is a monumental day for college athletics. The United States Senate voted to protect the hundreds of thousands of student athletes currently competing in college sports, the millions who will follow in their footsteps, and every college sports fan who wants to preserve this great American tradition for generations to come. … From the beginning, our objective was not to squeak by with 60 or 61 votes but to have a big bipartisan vote that demonstrates the importance of stepping in and saving and preserving college sports. President Trump is eager to sign this legislation.

“

[Asked whether using public funds for the ads was appropriate:] No, it's not even a close question. … We all know you're not supposed to use taxpayer money for that purpose.

“

I understand the importance of engagement and diplomacy but inviting Putin to the G20 and rolling out the red carpet for President Xi, I'm not enthusiastic about that.

“

[Cornyn said he was not happy to see Trump lavish Xi with honors, given U.S.-China tensions over Iran, Taiwan and AI, and said it was] pretty clear [that China, Russia, Iran and North Korea have formed an] axis.

“

If you saw Wilbur, just like if you saw anybody that had been shot three days ago, you would say this person needs a doctor, not a deportation, or a detention center. Why was he taken from the hospital?

“

ICE has become an abusive, rogue organization. They said that Homeland Security was going to do a joint investigation with the FBI. Homeland Security, at this point, has zero credibility.

“

We are concerned by President Trump's description of Taiwan as 'a very good negotiating chip' in engagements with Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. … It is difficult to imagine how the United States might credibly project influence deterrence in the Indo-Pacific if the price of keeping up diplomatic appearances is denying our partners key deterrent capabilities. [Letter from Sens. McConnell, Cornyn, Murkowski and Tillis to Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Hegseth urging release of $300 million in foreign military financing, $1 billion in unobligated Pentagon funds and the $14 billion arms sales package.]

“

Experts are warning that AI superintelligence, wielded by the wrong humans or by rogue AI, could kill countless numbers of people. But Donald Trump says he wants to encourage it. Something has to change. Our bill bans the development of artificial superintelligence and pushes for international agreements so that no one, anywhere, builds AI too powerful for humans to control.

“

Despite losing movement on his left side and having a bullet lodged next to his spine, ICE has forced Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez out of the hospital … He came to the United States legally. He had work permits and was an asylum seeker.

“

It is time to vote them out.

“

I would support Sen. Curtis's request. [Cornyn added that Chairman Grassley wants to do his due diligence.]

“

It's a gimmick.

“

What Jensen argues is that the threat of China is greater if they have to develop their own chips, and that's not a frivolous argument. … I think we need to have meaningful export controls, but where the line should be is a complicated judgment call.

“

This is ICE in our community, apparently not in cooperation or collaboration with our local law enforcement. We need to have an independent investigation into this.

“

ICE agents are supposed to be wearing body cameras. So I would like to see the body camera so we know what led up to this man being shot. [An investigation] should not be coming from the agency that has authority over the agent that shot.

“

I completely agree … I am in favor of an independent investigation. [Peña, the Republican nominee running against Rep. Greg Casar in Texas’s 37th district, also said she wanted the body-camera footage released.]

“

There must be a full and transparent investigation into what happened.

“

It went from what I would say is a handful of incidents during a day in given week to, in some instances, five times as many in a given week.

“

This is a pattern – it's a disturbing pattern – and it's got to stop. … I am demanding, and Congress is making very clear to the head of ICE and to Secretary Mullin, that Wilber Garcés needs to be released to medical care. … I don't care if you're a Democrat or Republican, we all believe the federal government should not be allowed to shoot you and then disappear you from the country so that no one can be held responsible. [Casar warned that deporting Garcés Pérez would remove the] key witness to this shooting.

“

Any protest that is about throwing rocks and venting anger does not help us. It only helps Trump and those who are running ICE. So we need protests that are bringing folks to our side. I hope you will continue to speak out, and I hope you will carry the protest to the polls.

“

Austinites have a right to know what happened.

“

The horror has come to our city: ICE has shot a person in Austin this morning. As the facts emerge, I am demanding a full, independent investigation, immediate release of the body camera footage, and accountability for any ICE officer who broke the law. Over and over, ICE has shot people and then lied about what happened. We can see the lies with our own eyes. We will demand truth, transparency and accountability.

“

Breaking: ICE shot and injured a man in Austin, Texas, earlier today. Trump has allowed ICE to flood our streets and put our communities in harms way again and again and Governor Abbott is complicit every time. I am demanding the body camera footage and full accountability.

“

Previous incidents have shown that this agency cannot be trusted to report all the facts. We need a full, independent investigation that includes the release of any and all available footage. My prayers are with those impacted and with the Austin community.

“

He's an embarrassment to the Republican Party, and he's going to drag the whole ticket down because of his racist comments. … I may just leave it blank.

“

Today is a chance for us to stand up and fight for the 0.5 million college athletes who are competing right now. … If the Senate doesn't act, hundreds of thousands of those students will see their roster slots go away and their scholarships go away.

“

These countries have a choice to make about whether they will continue to sustain Putin's aggression.

“

Our communities and the people in our districts are so outraged … all we're going to do is make them pay their own energy costs.