- President Joe Biden is on his way to Texas on Friday to investigate storm recovery efforts.
- But he will not meet with Sens Cruz or Cornyn.
- Cruz was giving a speech on the cancellation culture at CPAC that day.
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President Joe Biden will leave for Texas on Friday to tour some of the hardest-hit areas in the state, but while there, he will not meet with Republican Senator Ted Cruz.
This is because Cruz had a speech that day at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida. He is giving a speech entitled “Bill of Rights, Freedom and Canceling Culture.” Canceling culture seems to be an important theme of the conference; Former President Donald Trump will deliver a speech entitled ‘America Uncancelled’ on Sunday.
While it is typical for senators to travel with the president when visiting their states, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said there are ‘space restrictions’ on Air Force One, making it impossible for Cruz or his fellow General John Cornyn, GOP senator, to join. . Instead, the Texas government, Greg Abbott, will accompany the president.
“There are some restrictions on the space available, so I do not believe members of any party traveling with the president to Texas,” Psaki told reporters, noting that first lady Dr. Jill Biden would join the president on his journey. “But again, he’s going to spend the day with Abbott’s government and investigate the damage to the ground.”
According to Psaki, Biden will “meet with local leaders to discuss the winter storm, relief efforts, progress toward recovery and the incredible resilience of Houston and Texas residents.”
Some have speculated that Cruz’s Biden’s itinerary was omitted due to the senator’s recent controversial trip to Cancun.
Cruz was furious last week when he was spotted on his way to Cancun amid one of the worst winter storms in the state’s history. Many accused the senator of abandoning his constituents, and Cruz later admitted that the trip was ‘obviously a mistake’.
The White House did not directly comment on Cruz’s behavior, although Psaki did say last week: ‘Many people across the state are without power. [and] without the resources they need, and we expect that to be the focus of anyone in the state elected to represent them. ‘
Insider reached out to both Cruz and Cornyn’s offices for comment.