Ted Cruz
In response to Donald Trump’s call to bar Muslims from entering the United States, the Senate Judiciary Committee today passed a “Sense of the Senate” amendment authored by Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-VT) that affirms the United States of America will not bar individuals based on their religion.
The amendment was approved by a 16-4 vote margin. However, Republican presidential contender Senator Ted Cruz joined the dubious ranks of Republican Senators Jeff Sessions, Thom Tillis, and David Vitter in voting against the amendment.
The amendment language is as follows: “It is the sense of the Senate that the United States must not bar individuals from entering into the United States based on their religion, as such action would be contrary to the fundamental principles on which this Nation was founded.”
“The fact that there is even a debate about whether we should exclude whole groups of people based on religion is deeply troubling, says Lynn Tramonte, Deputy Director of America’s Voice. “Donald Trump may be the loudest loud mouth in the Republican field, but his sentiments are clearly shared by a number of the candidates and a percentage of the Republican base. Ted Cruz’s vote today against Senator Leahy’s fundamental amendment proves it. This is a sad commentary on the state of the Republican Party. America is better than this, and when it comes time to face a general election audience, Republicans will finally see it.”
